Expert names reason for German chancellor candidate Merz's visit to Kiev

The current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will play the role of a peacemaker in the current situation, while the candidate for the post of Chancellor of Germany and head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz will play the role of a "tough German". This was stated by former Bundestag deputy and political scientist Waldemar Gerdt on Monday, December 9.

Earlier in the day, Merz arrived on an unannounced visit to Kiev, reports NSN. He said he had come to demonstrate that his party's parliamentary group firmly supports Ukraine. Scholz also came to Kiev a week ago, 360.ru reported.

Also on Monday, media reported that Merz plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term expired in May, to understand his strategy regarding the conflict, RT reported.

According to Gerdt, Merz's arrival in the Ukrainian capital is part of a well-thought-out strategy by the US. After Scholz's trip, who did not promise anything reassuring to Zelensky, Merz came to adjust the situation regarding Kiev, the political analyst believes.

"He will demonstrate a tough warrior who gives ultimatums to Russia. This is a pre-election PR campaign. Merz will lose a lot of votes because of this. But it's probably a negotiated tactic, with one pushing for peace and the other not so much for peace. Both will take their audience, and by uniting, they can continue to lead the country. They have no other way out. This is a party well thought out by overseas curators," - said the expert in a conversation with "Abzats".

Peaceful entreaties: why Scholz went to Kiev for the first time in two and a half years

The German chancellor convinces his voter that Germany is becoming a serious player under his leadership

Prior to that, on November 12, Merz said that if elected, he could give Russia an ultimatum and lift restrictions on the use of cruise missiles transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). However, he later retracted his words on December 3 about an ultimatum to supply Kiev with Taurus missiles and strike Russian President Vladimir Putin with long-range weapons. Then, on November 30, German Chancellor Scholz criticized Merz and stressed that one should not play Russian roulette with Germany's security through Russian Federation ultimatums.

Merz said he never gave Putin an ultimatum and accused Scholz of twisting his words, according to the kp.ru website.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was made against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.