30 Nov 2024 (approximate)
“Merz [Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU)] wants to give Russia, a nuclear power, an ultimatum on possible Taurus missile deliveries to Ukraine. I can only say: be careful! You can't play Russian roulette with Germany's security. When it comes to matters of war and peace, you need a cool head.”
In October, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), proposed that Chancellor Olaf Scholz issue an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, coordinating its terms with European allies. The suggestion came amidst ongoing debates over Germany’s support for Ukraine, particularly the potential delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Kyiv. At a party conference in Berlin, Chancellor Scholz strongly criticized Merz’s approach, labeling it as dangerously reckless and cautioning against actions that could escalate risks to Germany's security.