German chancellor candidate open to talks with Putin, but sets ultimatum over Ukraine

Friedrich Merz, the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for German chancellor, has stated that he would be open to holding a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin if elected.

Speaking to German media, Merz emphasized that such a conversation would only take place "if there is an occasion for this and there is agreement between the European and transatlantic partners", Caliber.Az reports.

Merz further indicated his readiness to take a strong stance against Russia, saying he would give Moscow an ultimatum to stop attacking Ukraine’s infrastructure within 24 hours. Should Russia fail to comply, Merz warned he would lift restrictions on the use of supplied weapons and provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles.

In an earlier statement, Merz criticized current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him a "lame duck" on the international stage amid a political crisis in Germany. Merz, in his bid for chancellorship, aims to assert Germany's foreign policy interests more decisively, especially in dealings with the United States.

"We must go from being a sleeping middle power to becoming a leading middle power again," Merz said. He expressed the belief that Germany has yet to clearly define its national interests, a position he intends to change. "The Americans are much more aggressive. It shouldn't be that only one side wins, we need to make agreements that are favourable to both sides. Trump would call it a deal," Merz explained, referring to former US President Donald Trump.

Merz outlined a specific example of what such a "deal" could look like: "Let’s say we buy American F-35 fighter jets out of necessity, but then they have to get maintenance from us, and we get the necessary factories for that. That would be a good deal for both sides." Merz also shared his insight into Trump’s approach, noting that people who know the former president well advise that "you have to talk to him firmly and clearly."

Criticizing the current German government's approach to US relations, Merz stated that the government should have supported Trump’s re-election. "Instead, the Foreign Ministry bet on Kamala Harris and thus took a very one-sided position. Trump has a good memory. The new US administration will not listen to the current federal government. Scholz has now become a ‘lame duck’ on the world stage as well," Merz concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova