Zelensky's Upcoming Berlin Visit Highlights Merz's Support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit Berlin on Wednesday, marking his first trip to Germany since Chancellor Friedrich Merz assumed office earlier this month.

This visit comes at a pivotal time for German-Ukrainian relations amid shifting dynamics in European support for Ukraine.

With uncertainties about the future of the United States' backing for Kyiv, Chancellor Merz has emerged as a prominent advocate within Europe for stronger support of Ukraine. This stance contrasts with his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s more cautious approach, even as Merz encounters resistance within his coalition regarding enhanced military aid.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Scholz waited over a year before inviting Zelensky to Berlin. Though Zelensky last visited the German capital in October, this upcoming one-day trip will be his third encounter with Chancellor Merz since Merz took office on May 6.

Key Topics Expected in the Discussions

The central focus of talks is anticipated to be military assistance, with particular emphasis on the Taurus cruise missile, a joint development by Germany and Sweden.

The Taurus missile’s significant size, sophisticated navigation system, and range of approximately 310 miles enable it to strike targets deep within Russian territory more precisely than most weapons currently available to Ukraine.

This missile system has long been a priority request from President Zelensky. While Britain and France already supply Ukraine with their SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the Taurus could target strategic locations such as the bridges connecting Crimea to mainland Russia.

Germany has committed nearly $32 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which includes weapons, equipment from German military reserves, and training for around 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers, according to official figures.

Merz's Position on Providing the Taurus Missile

The previous German government under Scholz declined to supply the Taurus missile, citing concerns it could escalate the conflict.

Merz openly criticized this policy last autumn and promised during his election campaign to reverse it.

At one point, Merz suggested that Scholz should issue a clear warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that as chancellor, he would authorize sending Taurus missiles if Russia continued bombing civilians—though he later softened this rhetoric.

In April, prior to Merz’s inauguration, Zelensky expressed cautious optimism that the new government would change course.

"We will work on it," Zelensky said. "It's more than just hope."

Statements Since Merz Took Office

Since becoming chancellor, Merz has been deliberately noncommittal about sending the Taurus missile to Ukraine. In his first parliamentary address, he indicated plans to increase weapons deliveries while deciding to keep specific shipments undisclosed to maintain strategic ambiguity aiding Ukraine’s efforts.

In a May 15 interview with the German broadcaster ZDF, Merz stated that providing the Taurus missile was "not currently on the agenda."

When Merz announced on Monday that Germany would no longer enforce range limits on weapons supplied to Ukraine, the question of Taurus deliveries immediately arose.

"There are no longer any range restrictions for arms sent to Ukraine," Merz said at a political conference in Berlin. "This applies to weapons from the UK, France, Germany, and the US alike."

However, as noted shortly after, these restrictions had been lifted months earlier. Given that Germany's current weapons deliveries typically have ranges under 50 miles, lifting these limitations has not materially changed the conflict's dynamics.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a former German Army colonel and member of Merz’s party in parliament, commented, "Germany is not presently supplying any significant long-range weapon systems. To maintain strategic ambiguity, we should send a preliminary signal by initiating training for Ukrainian forces on the Taurus system."

Domestic Debate Over the Missile Supply

Merz faces considerable opposition from the Social Democrats (SPD), the center-left party that governs in coalition with his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU). Some members of Merz's own party privately share reservations about delivering the missile system to Ukraine.

Following Merz's inaugural parliamentary speech, SPD lawmakers reiterated their rejection of sending the Taurus missile.

"We do not want to be a party to the war, and therefore we have consistently opposed the shipment of the Taurus," said Matthias Miersch, head of SPD parliamentarians. "That position remains unchanged."

The SPD even included this opposition in their official campaign platform during the federal elections held in February.

Lars Klingbeil, the SPD finance minister, clarified on Monday that Merz’s recent remarks did not reflect a policy shift, emphasizing that the party maintains its stance against supplying the missile.