Scholz's competitor said how Germany can stop Putin in Ukraine.

The leader of the CDU/CSU and candidate for the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, set a condition for transferring Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He announced this on the air of ARD Channel, reports Ntv.

Merz expressed the view that if Russia does not stop bombing Ukraine, restrictions on long-range weapons for Kyiv should first be lifted, and then the delivery of Taurus missiles should begin.

"I would not do this (starting the delivery of Tauruses to Ukraine – ed.) just like that. I would tell Putin: if the bombings do not stop, the first step will be lifting the range restrictions. The second step will be the delivery of the Taurus. And then Putin himself decides how far he wants to escalate this war," said Merz.

Merz also expressed concern that Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and its allies have no strategic vision. According to him, the government allows Putin to know all the details and even publicly argues about further steps.

Furthermore, Merz believes that the decision to supply Taurus should be made at the European level. He calls on Europe to become more independent from the USA in matters of assistance to Ukraine for joint security.

Previously, it was reported that Germany will review its military aid to Ukraine.