The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has asked whether Friedrich Merz may be planning a return to one of the country’s darkest times
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has suggested that Germany’s incoming chancellor could revive a dark era in history, in response to a report that he will pledge to “assume responsibility again” in an Easter address.
On Saturday, Bild reported that in the speech, Friedrich Merz will promise that “Germany will again assume responsibility – in Europe and in the world. Not loudly, but reliably. Not arrogantly, but in a partner-like manner.”
In a post on her Telegram channel later on Saturday, Zakharova jocularly inquired “to which historical period” the “again” in Merz’s purported address refers.
Speaking to ARD last Sunday, Merz, who is expected to be officially named chancellor on May 6, said that he could deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The weapon has a range of 500km.
His predecessor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly refused Kiev’s requests for the rockets, citing fears of an escalation of the conflict.
The incoming chancellor, however, told reporters that Germany “would be equipping the Ukrainian army with such a weapon” under his leadership. He appeared to suggest that Kiev could use Taurus missiles to strike the bridge connecting Crimea with mainland Russia.
Matthias Miersch, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is currently in the process of forming a coalition government with Merz’s Christian Democrats, expressed hope on Wednesday that the incoming chancellor, “once fully informed by [intelligence] agencies, will reassess the issue clearly.”
“I assume that we do not want to contribute to an escalation or become a party to the war,” the politician said.
Commenting on Merz’s remark during a press briefing on Thursday, Zakharova warned that “since live firing these cruise missiles is impossible without the direct assistance of Bundeswehr servicemen, a strike on any Russian facilities, [or] critical transport infrastructure… will be regarded as direct German participation in military operations.”
Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechaev, similarly stated that while unable to alter the battlefield dynamics, the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine could lead to an escalation of the fighting and compel Moscow to retaliate.
Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western military aid to Kiev, insisting that it only serves to prolong the bloodshed.
