German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking in the Bundestag this morning, stated that the possibilities of resolving the Russian-Ukrainian conflict by diplomatic methods were completely exhausted.
His speech coincided with another brutal attack by Russia on Ukrainian cities, carried out at night utilizing unmanned aircraft and rockets.
"Diplomatic resources have been exhausted," said Merz during the budget debate referring to Russia's intensifying war against Ukraine.
His message left no area for uncertainty – it was a clear signal that Germany no longer saw the field for further talks with Moscow in the current situation. Merz besides referred to fresh Russian military actions, in peculiar attacks against the civilian population, which took place only a fewer hours before his speech.
"Russia carried out dense attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine during the night," noted the Chancellor.
This message was a reaction to the largest massive drone attack always carried out since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022. According to the data provided by the Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched more than 550 drones and rockets towards various Ukrainian cities. The mark of the attack was not just military installations – many strikes were aimed straight at residential settlements and civilian infrastructure.
However, Chancellor Merz has not limited himself to describing the situation. In the same speech, he promised further military and humanitarian support to Ukraine and confirmed Germany's willingness to cooperate with another NATO and European Union countries to guarantee long-term safety of the region.
At the same time, the United States announced a fresh military aid package for Ukraine. president Donald Trump announced that Ukraine would receive 10 Patriot-type missiles.
"We will send Ukraine 10 Patriot missiles," Trump said in a tv appearance.
Trump was not limited to declaring aid. He besides addressed harsh words to Russian president Vladimir Putin, commenting on his behaviour in fresh weeks.
"He's very nice, but it turns out it doesn't matter," Trump commented, referring to earlier attempts to talk to Putin.
However, the aid announced by the president was assessed as insufficient by the Ukrainian side. 1 of Kiev's elder representatives commented publicly:
“This is simply a trace — a maximum of 1 large attack.”
Nevertheless, the U.S. decision to resume arms supplies was adopted as a affirmative signal of solidarity. Previously, the Pentagon had signaled serious logistical difficulties and the exhaustion of Patriot strategy supplies, which raised doubts about the further pace of military assistance to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Merz continued his speech in the informing tone. His message was consistent with what he had already signaled – that Germany would not block exports of modern weapons systems to Kiev. In May of that year, the chancellor declared to remove any restrictions on the scope of arms transferred to Ukraine, which was supported, among others, by the US, France and the United Kingdom.
“After the last 3 weeks, no serious individual can claim that we have not exhausted all peaceful opportunities,” Merz said in May defending the decision to enable Ukraine to attack targets in Russia utilizing western weapons.
The Russian attack last night reinforced the conviction of many Western leaders that Moscow was not curious in any real peace process. At the same time, the German government has confirmed that it is conducting talks with the US administration on the acquisition of Patriot air defence systems with a view to transferring them to Ukraine.
The situation on the front remains tense. Ukrainian military sources study that despite a immense number of hostile drones, a large proportion of them have been neutralized. However, in many cities there have been power and water supply breaks, harm to hospitals, schools and homes. The number of civilian casualties is inactive increasing.
"We will support Ukraine as long as necessary," stressed Merz at the end of his speech.
These words fell at a time erstwhile force was expanding throughout Europe to increase the pace and scope of assistance to Ukraine. The messages from Berlin, Washington and Kiev point to a fresh phase of war – a phase in which diplomacy, as Merz expressed it, no longer works. There is strength, strategy and consistency.
