German Chancellor-in-Waiting Merz Expected to Visit Kyiv for May 9 Summit

The leader of Germany’s centrist bloc, Friedrich Merz, who is expected to be officially confirmed as the country’s next chancellor early next month, is likely to make his first state visit to Ukraine.

Merz has been vocal in calling for Germany to supply its Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine to be used on targets in Russia.

According to Welt, citing sources in Berlin and Brussels, preparations for Merz’s trip to Kyiv are already underway. He is expected to attend the “Coalition of the Willing” summit scheduled for May 9 in the Ukrainian capital, after being officially confirmed as Germany’s new chancellor on May 6.

Alongside Merz, other prominent European leaders may also take part in the summit in Kyiv — including French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Merz’s representatives have so far declined to comment on the reports about his potential visit.

If the trip takes place, it would mark Merz’s first official international visit as Germany’s chancellor.

Merz previously visited Ukraine in December 2024 as the opposition leader and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On Monday Kyiv Post reported that Merz said Berlin is prepared to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles – but only in coordination with European allies.

“I have always said that I would do this, but only in coordination with European partners,” Merz said in a televised interview.

Other Topics of Interest

Germany and France Demand Stricter Measures Against Russian Shadow Fleet

Lawmakers from Germany and France have drafted a joint initiative calling for enhanced controls, vessel detentions, and diplomatic pressure to counter the operations of Russia’s “shadow fleet.

During his campaign, Merz supported the delivery of Taurus missiles and maintaining sanctions against Russia.

Merz noted that several countries, including Britain, France, and the US, have already supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine. If European partners agree on sending Taurus missiles, “Germany should take part,” he said.

Later on Monday the Kremlin warned Germany against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying the incoming chancellor’s proposal risked escalating Russia’s three-year full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

“He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favor of various steps that can – and will – inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said of Merz.

“Unfortunately, European capitals are really not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks, they are rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war,” Peskov added.

The air-launched Taurus cruise missile, jointly developed by Germany and Sweden, can reach targets up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) away after being employed by its delivery aircraft.