The chasm between rhetoric and action regarding German support for Ukraine has widened, with accusations leveled against Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) by Green Party leader Franziska Brantner. Brantner publicly questioned Merz’s consistency on the issue of supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, highlighting a stark contrast between his previous, vocal demands as an opposition leader and his current silence on the matter.
Speaking to RTL and ntv, Brantner observed a significant shift in Merz’s stance. “When I was in Ukraine, everyone asked what had happened to Mr. Merz. And it’s true. Mr. Merz, when he was in opposition, seemed to have a motion in the Bundestag every week demanding the government supply Taurus missiles. Since becoming Chancellor, I haven’t heard a word from him on the subject.
While acknowledging that supplying Taurus missiles represents one avenue for bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Brantner underscored a broader and more critical question regarding Germany’s overall commitment. She questioned the nation’s demonstrable efforts to safeguard Ukraine, particularly within the context of the escalating drone and artillery warfare.
“There’s a significant task for Germany here” Brantner stated, implicitly criticizing the current administration. “Mr. Merz has made so many promises, but so far, I’m yet to see any of them fulfilled”. The Green Party leader’s comments suggest a growing frustration within her party concerning the perceived lack of tangible action on the part of the German government and specifically target Chancellor Merz’s credibility in delivering on promises of robust support for Ukraine. The implication is not solely about the Taurus missiles, but a systemic failure to adequately address Ukraine’s defensive needs.
