Germany’s new Chancellor Merz plans to visit Ukraine soon
Photo: Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor (Getty Images)
New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz promises to visit Ukraine. There are no exact dates for the visit yet, according to Tagesschau.
During a visit to Paris, Merz said his trip to Ukraine would take place "soon," and that planning for the visit is already underway.
According to the Chancellor, he wants to "make a possible contribution together with the European Union to ensure that a sustainable ceasefire is reached next week and beyond, so that a peace agreement with Russia can be concluded afterwards."
He also noted that the main question now is whether Russia is ready for a 30-day truce.
Merz also linked Germany’s security guarantees for Ukraine to a prior ceasefire agreement with Russia.
At the same time, the Chancellor insisted that the United States must be involved in efforts to secure lasting peace for Ukraine. Specifically, he said he expects Washington to continue working toward a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
Merz added that it is important that the US takes part in providing security guarantees for Ukraine and expressed hope that the US would continue to fulfill its responsibilities, both within NATO and toward Ukraine.
Merz is the new Chancellor
Yesterday, on May 6, the Bundestag voted to appoint Friedrich Merz as the new Chancellor of Germany. He then took the oath of office and officially took up his new position.
Also yesterday, a new German government was formed. Johann Wadephul was appointed Foreign Minister and Boris Pistorius was appointed Defense Minister.
