Ukrainian ambassador praises gear change in Germany under Merz
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany has expressed satisfaction with the change in tone in Berlin after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit this week.
“There were clear results,” Oleksii Makeiev told radio station WDR5 on Friday, referring to Wednesday’s meeting between Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“And on a personal level, it went very well,” he said.
“We are experiencing a new tone: more direct, clearer, more committed. The personal relationship between my president and Chancellor Merz is one of trust. And these are important things for diplomacy,” Makeiev said.
He added that he has “rarely experienced such an atmosphere.”
During the meeting, Merz promised Zelensky that Germany would support Ukraine in the production of long-range missiles.
However, Germany still does not plan to supply Kiev with its much-discussed Taurus cruise missiles, and there will be no further public discussion on the issue, Merz said.
Merz’s predecessor, Olaf Scholz, clearly refused to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He repeatedly emphasized that Germany must not be drawn into the war.
Since taking office, Merz has struck a tougher tone towards Russia.
