Chancellor Candidate Merz: Without Taurus Missiles, Ukraine Is Fighting With One Hand Tied

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s opposition and candidate for chancellor from the CDU/CSU alliance, voiced his support for providing Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of targeting military sites within Russia during his visit to Kyiv, reported Ukrainian media RBC-Ukraine on December 9.

Merz criticized current restrictions on the range of weapons provided to Ukraine, noting that these limitations undermine its ability to defend itself effectively.

“By limiting the range of the weapons we provide, we are forcing you [Ukraine] to fight with one hand tied behind your back,” Merz said.

German opposition leader addressed the ongoing debate in Germany over military support for Ukraine, highlighting the need for decisive action to ensure the war ends as quickly as possible.

“There is a broad consensus in Germany to continue military support for Ukraine,” Merz stated. “No one wants this war to last indefinitely.”

He underscored that his faction’s stance is clear: “We want to enable your Armed Forces to reach military bases in Russia—not civilian populations or infrastructure, but the targets used to wage war against your country.”

Previously, Merz has stated that, if elected Chancellor, he would push for a 24-hour deadline for Russia to end the war. Should this demand go unmet, he would support delivering Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, potentially enabling strikes on Russian territory. Ukraine has long advocated for these missiles to strengthen its defense capabilities.