Merz draws Kremlin fire over Ukraine missile support

Germany has found itself at the centre of another diplomatic storm with Russia, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday (9 July) that all diplomatic avenues for ending the war in Ukraine have been exhausted.

Shortly after, Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused Berlin of seeking to participate in Ukrainian attacks “deep inside Russian territory,” referring specifically to the potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova alleged that “behind this smokescreen lies a barely disguised desire by the Merz government to strike inside our country.”

The remarks come amid renewed debate in Berlin over military support for Ukraine. Unlike his predecessor Olaf Scholz, Chancellor Merz has repeatedly expressed readiness to supply Ukraine with the long-range Taurus missile system, despite warnings from Moscow that such a move would constitute German entry into the war.

Recently Merz reiterated that only Ukrainian forces, not German personnel, would operate the systems.

Berlin clears path for long-range strikes ahead of Zelenskyy visit

‘Lowest possible tariffs’

Merz also announced plans to accelerate trade negotiations with Washington. Speaking in parliament, he said he expected a new EU–US trade deal “no later than the end of this month,” and emphasised his close coordination with President Trump and the European Commission. “Our goal is to tie mutual trade to the lowest possible tariffs,” he noted.

Looking east, Merz is also planning his first official visit to China later this year, possibly in October, accompanied by senior German business leaders. The trip could be a critical moment in EU–China relations, currently strained by trade disputes and geopolitical realignments.

Chinese companies are reportedly eager to expand investments in Germany, and the Chancellor’s visit could serve to de-escalate tensions between Berlin and Beijing.

Kyiv looks to the Vatican

Meanwhile on the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome (10 – 11 July), Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV to discuss the possibility of renewed peace negotiations.

According to the Vatican, the two leaders spoke of the “urgent need for a just and lasting peace,” and Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Vatican efforts to help return Ukrainian children abducted to Russia.

The meeting marked their second private audience since Leo XIV became the first American Pope earlier this year. Held at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the talks again raised the prospect of the Vatican hosting direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, a proposal rejected by Moscow in May.

Zelenskyy later said he had invited the Pope to visit Ukraine and urged Vatican support for hosting a future peace summit: “We want peace… and we rely on the Vatican and His Holiness to help provide the place for it,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Washington watch

Zelenskyy said on Wednesday he had held a “substantive” conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Rome shortly after Trump pledged to send more defensive weapons to Kyiv.

“We discussed weapons supplies and strengthening air defence. Given the increase in Russian attacks, this remains one of our top priorities,” Zelenskyy wrote on the X social media platform.

“We also covered the purchase of American weapons, joint defence manufacturing, and localization efforts in Ukraine,” he added.

Zelenskyy said he and Kellogg had discussed at length proposals to slap tougher sanctions on Moscow, as the Ukrainian leader has long advocated as the best means to persuade the Kremlin to abide by a ceasefire and move toward peace.

“We understand the need for tougher restrictions on Russian energy, especially secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He expressed hope for progress in a bill on stiffer sanctions now before the U.S. Congress, sponsored by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The legislation, he said, “could certainly make Russia give greater thought to peace”.

Russia attacks Ukraine with 700 drones after Trump vows to send more weapons

The Rome summit aims to mobilise funding and private investment for Ukraine’s reconstruction, even as Russian air strikes continue unabated. Earlier this week, Russia launched one of its largest combined drone and missile attacks of the war, claiming to target a Ukrainian airfield near the Polish border.

Caption: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a ceremony to mark Germany’s 70 years of joining NATO, in Berlin, Germany, 09 July 2025. EPA/FILIP SINGER