Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor of Germany and leader of the CDU party, accused President Vladimir Putin of committing a war crime after a missile strike in Sumy, Ukraine, resulted in 34 deaths, including children. Merz described the attack as deliberate, emphasizing that a second wave hit while emergency workers were on-site. He criticized those calling for peace talks with Putin, labeling it as a sign of weakness. Unlike previous Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Merz supports supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, aligning with allies like the UK and US despite concerns over escalating the conflict.
"There are two waves of attacks, and the second arrived as emergency workers were taking care of the victims," said Merz. "That is the response, that is what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire."
Merz noted that the UK, France and the US are some of the countries who have already provided Ukraine with the missiles.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier called the attack on Sumy "barbaric" and said: "Such attacks show Russia's claim to want peace for what it really is."
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