Berlin
CNN
–
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky leaves a new arm package of 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) in Berlin as he is about to build his own weapons.
The package’s outstanding agreement announced on Wednesday in the German capital is centered around Germany, which funds the joint production of long-range missiles in Ukraine, which allows Kiev to hit targets deep in Russia.
The announcement also included more air defense systems, weapons, ammunition, “order and operation” capabilities and medical assistance.
One important aspect was missing. Before the press conference there was high hopes that Mertz would announce the transfer or approval of the use of the highly refined, long-range Taurus missiles in Germany, Ukraine.
Meltz was very strong in ensuring that Ukraine received a Taurus during the campaign against former Social Democrat Prime Minister Olaf Scholz. Scholz and the party remained very silent to send arms, but were worried that this would escalate the conflict even further.
Mertz’s own fledgling coalition with the Social Democrats (now a junior partner in the government) appears to have a major disagreement of its own with regard to Taurus.
The Christian Democrats, one of Meltz’s parties, tweeted Tuesday. “I have not yet united within the Union and have no political will to properly respond to the massive escalation of Russia with force and consistency,” he tweeted.
This system allows Ukraine to hit targets far beyond the shadows of British storms and the capabilities of American-made Atacam missiles.
However, on shoulders side by side with Berlin’s Zelensky, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz said:
“This is the beginning of a new phase of industrial military cooperation between our countries with great potential,” Meltz added.
However, in line with the new dict decree from the Prime Minister and his new government, there was no concrete details of the deal. To ensure “strategic ambiguity,” it has made a conscious decision to withhold information on weapon exchanges.
Nevertheless, the deal represents a major step towards deepening cooperation between Germany and Ukraine, particularly in terms of arms procurement.
It also marked the third meeting in a few weeks between the two leaders, considering that Merz was only prime minister for three weeks.
The statement, which was released by the German Ministry of Defense, said it was “planning to invest more direct direct investments in future Ukraine production.”
Zelensky appeared to suggest a today’s agreement before departing Kiev for the German capital. In his evening speech on Tuesday, he said, “Attack drones, interceptors, cruise missiles, Ukrainian ballistic systems — these are the key elements. Everything needs to be manufactured.”
A statement from the German Ministry of Defense suggested that some of these systems could be closer to deployment. “A significant number of long-range weapons (ARs) should be produced within the year.” “The beginning of these systems could be deployed by the Ukrainian forces in just a few weeks.”
The Kremlin responded immediately. “This is a completely irresponsible position in Germany. Instead of trying to support a peaceful process, they are fueling the flames,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN on Wednesday.
“They are simply trying to spark further wars, which increases indirect involvement in this military case,” he added.
Germany has long been one of Ukraine’s most generous supporters in terms of dedicated aid. According to figures from the Kiel Institute, Germany ranks second in the United States, and in both military and humanitarian support,
In Berlin, both Zelensky and Merz spoke about their frustration with Russia over peace talks.
Merz said: “I would like to thank the US president for the last few weeks. Moscow has been playing for time. The memorandum has not yet been shared,” the German leader added that the recent attacks across Ukraine “speak the language of the attack.”
