**German Lawmakers Urge Merz to Increase Aid to Ukraine**
In a recent open letter, four members of the Alliance 90/Greens party in Germany have called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine. The letter, which was reported by Bild on July 5, highlights the urgent need for Ukraine’s air defense systems to be strengthened.
The signatories, including Robin Wagener, Sara Nanni, Sebastian Schafer, and Anton Hofreiter, believe that the planned increase in Germany’s defense funding for Kyiv from $8.4 billion in 2024 to $9.8 billion in 2025 is insufficient. They emphasized that without further air defense and assured supplies, Russian dictatorship over Ukraine becomes more likely.
This call for increased aid comes as Russia continues to carry out large-scale attacks on Ukraine, using an unprecedented number of drones. On multiple occasions each week, Moscow has launched up to 500 drones against Ukraine in a single night. This escalation highlights the need for Ukraine’s air defense systems to be strengthened urgently.
The lawmakers also noted that the situation has deteriorated further as Russia continues its attacks, and the United States has partially suspended its military aid. The signatories reminded Merz that the Greens party had previously supported significant increases in assistance to Ukraine, and they now urge him to take similar action.
**Taurus Missiles: A Powerful Tool for Ukraine**
The letter also touches on the issue of Taurus missiles, a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers. The German government has not approved sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine so far, despite previous assurances that they could be delivered. This move would have significantly bolstered Ukraine’s long-range capabilities.
The Biden administration and other allies had initially restricted the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, allowing them to target Russian targets on Ukrainian territory only. However, in late 2024, these restrictions were eased, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, the recent open letter by four German lawmakers highlights the urgent need for increased military aid to Ukraine. With Russia’s escalated drone attacks and the partial suspension of US military aid, it is essential that Germany takes a stronger stance in supporting Ukraine. The call for increased funding and the delivery of Taurus missiles would significantly bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and long-range strike capacity.
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