Germany to help Ukraine with long-range missiles

DW (English)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced "a new form of military-industrial cooperation" with Ukraine. He said Germany will help Kyiv develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations or restrictions. Merz made the statement after a meeting with Ukraine's president in Berlin.

Transcript

00:00A bumpy start to the Ukrainian president's visit to Germany.

00:05Could you just give us a second? I think translation is not working.

00:09Oh, you didn't have translation? And still? Now you have?

00:16No, we don't have it either. So we check that. Give us a second.

00:20Okay.

00:21German technology.

00:23It's okay.

00:25But behind closed doors, they dealt with serious issues.

00:29The key question, how can Germany boost Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression?

00:36One answer, financial backing to help Ukraine produce long-range weapons

00:41that could be used against military targets on Russian territory within weeks.

00:46Today, our defense ministers will sign a declaration of intent

00:52on the procurement of long-range weapons systems from Ukrainian production,

00:57so-called long-range fires.

01:00There will be no range limitation.

01:02This will enable Ukraine to defend itself fully,

01:06including against military targets outside its own territory.

01:13outside its own territory.

01:16Russia condemned the move as irresponsible.

01:20Whether Ukraine will get hold of Germany's most advanced long-range cruise missile Taurus

01:26remains unclear.

01:28Back when he was opposition leader, Merz strongly backed sending it.

01:33Now, as chancellor, he refuses to debate details of weapons deliveries publicly.

01:39But the system is still on Zelensky's wish list.

01:42Long-range weapons produced in Germany and in other countries.

01:47Of course we need them.

01:49And we are discussing these issues.

01:52Another request from the Ukrainian president?

01:58An invitation to the upcoming NATO summit in June,

02:02where issues central to Ukraine's future will be on the table.

02:07To be honest, if Ukraine doesn't take part in the NATO summit,

02:10it will be a victory for Putin.

02:12Not against Ukraine.

02:13A victory against NATO.

02:15But, of course, the decision lies with our partners.

02:19Merz has made Germany's stance clear,

02:25slamming Moscow for continued bombing of Kyiv

02:28and slow-stepping peace negotiations.

02:30But Zelensky is still waiting to see

02:32if NATO will draw Ukraine closer into the fold.

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