Germany: CDU leader says Ukraine must win and regain all its territory

The leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, said that ending Russia’s war against Ukraine would be one of his strategic priorities if elected chancellor.

He stated this at an event in Berlin on January 23, Der Spiegel quoted him as saying.

According to the outlet, Merz promised Ukraine that he would continue to support it. He emphasized that ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will be one of the strategic priorities of the government he leads.

He emphasized that Ukraine must “win the war.”

“Victory means the restoration of territorial integrity with a democratically legitimate government exercising its own state sovereignty,” Merz said.

Friedrich Merz added that Ukraine should also be free to choose its political and military alliances.

The German chancellor candidate did not comment directly on the controversy surrounding a possible €3 billion aid package to finance further arms shipments.

Like incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Merz said that Germany should not become a party to the war.

The CDU/CSU included support for Ukraine and a promise to extend sanctions against Russia in its election program.

At a meeting with Merz in December, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expects Germany to “strengthen Ukraine’s long-range capabilities.”

And on January 21, Friedrich Merz and Zelenskyy discussed how to further bring a just peace to Ukraine, as well as global challenges and the situation on the frontline.