The frontrunner for the German chancellorship stated readiness to discuss Ukraine with Putin

The candidate for the position of German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who is the frontrunner for the head of government, has stated that he is willing to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss Ukraine.

He made this statement in an interview with Deutschlandfunk.

“If I speak on the phone with Putin, it will only be if there is a chance to move closer to a peaceful resolution,” said the chancellor candidate.

At the same time, Merz emphasized that, as chancellor, he would adhere to a policy of deterring Russia and considers increasing military supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine his priority. Additionally, he called on Europe to create a unified weapons system.

Earlier, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that the West “must not allow Russia to win” in the conflict in Ukraine. However, she supported the position of the current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in refusing to supply long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, stating that Scholz has his reasons for this decision.