Germany is set to significantly expand its military and financial assistance to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Wednesday during a press conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The move signals a growing shift within Europe to compensate for the diminishing role of the United States in supporting Kyiv’s defense against Russian aggression.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the two leaders unveiled plans for a joint military-industrial initiative focused on the development and production of long-range weaponry for use against Russian targets. “This is the start of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our two countries and one that has huge potential,” Merz stated during the briefing in Berlin.
With mounting uncertainty over the future of U.S. involvement, European nations have begun adjusting to a more prominent strategic role. Although key NATO powers such as France and the United Kingdom are constrained by debt and rising borrowing costs, Germany is emerging as the continent’s principal defense financier. Berlin’s recent constitutional amendment—lifting debt restrictions on defense spending—positions it to lead efforts to equip Ukraine and strengthen European security.
Chancellor Merz, who assumed office earlier this month, has adopted a firmer pro-Ukraine stance than his predecessor, Olaf Scholz. Long a vocal supporter of sending advanced weapons systems to Ukraine, Merz has repeatedly advocated for the delivery of Taurus missiles, a precision-guided long-range weapon developed by Germany and Sweden. The Taurus, capable of striking targets over 300 miles away, is considered a key strategic asset by Ukrainian defense officials.
When asked whether Ukraine would be authorized to manufacture the Taurus domestically, Merz refrained from offering details. Nonetheless, experts believe that facilitating Ukrainian production could sidestep legal and logistical hurdles while still delivering critical strike capabilities.
The Wall Street Journal reports that European governments are pressing ahead with additional sanctions on Russia after the Kremlin rebuffed a 30-day cease-fire proposal initially floated by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, concerns remain over the future of American diplomatic engagement in the conflict, particularly as Trump has signaled diminished interest in brokering a resolution.
“In recent days, Russia has escalated its missile attacks, and there is absolutely no willingness on Russia’s part to enter into any talks,” Merz said. “There has been no shortage of attempts from the West to diplomatically engage.”
The German chancellor is scheduled to visit Washington in the coming weeks. While he has criticized U.S. retrenchment from European security issues, he emphasized the necessity of American involvement moving forward. “We are also counting on the support of the United States, whose involvement remains indispensable for successful negotiations,” Merz noted. “I would like to take this opportunity to explicitly thank the American President for his personal commitment in recent weeks.”
Recent data compiled by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy reveals that Europe has now surpassed the U.S. in total aid to Ukraine and is matching American contributions in military assistance. In just the first two months of this year, European nations—including Germany, the U.K., Norway, Denmark, and Sweden—pledged €3.2 billion ($3.6 billion) in new aid. Additionally, the European Commission disbursed a €3 billion loan to support Ukraine’s economic stability.
As Berlin assumes a central role in Europe’s defense strategy, Chancellor Merz’s leadership marks a turning point in the continent’s response to the ongoing war in Ukraine—one increasingly shaped by European resolve amid shifting transatlantic dynamics.