Germany’s conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, has called for a unified European strategy to establish a “common vision” for peace in Ukraine. During his visit to Kyiv on Monday, Merz emphasized the need for European allies to collaborate independently of the United States, particularly in light of potential geopolitical shifts.
Merz, the frontrunner for Germany’s chancellorship in the upcoming federal elections on February 23, highlighted the importance of preparing for changes in global leadership. Referring to Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, he stated, “With the change of power in the United States, we are likely to face a new situation, and we must be prepared for it. We need a common strategy within Europe.”
The CDU leader proposed forming a new contact group comprising France, the United Kingdom, Poland, and other key European allies. This group would develop and coordinate a peace plan for Ukraine, potentially acting independently of U.S. leadership if required.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Merz in Kyiv, expressed his support for the proposal. He suggested including Denmark, a strong military backer of Ukraine, in the contact group. Zelensky noted that such an alliance could work towards achieving “a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
The call for a European-led strategy arises amidst uncertainty over the future of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of over fifty allied nations that regularly convenes at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss military support for Ukraine. The group is currently chaired by outgoing U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, whose tenure ends with the U.S. administration’s transition in January.
If elected chancellor, Merz could position himself as a stronger ally to Ukraine than current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Merz has pledged to increase military support for Kyiv, including providing long-range Taurus cruise missiles, a move Scholz has consistently opposed due to concerns about escalation risks.
Zelensky has also criticized Scholz’s November phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that such dialogues undermine efforts to isolate the Kremlin.
