German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to coordinate with the European Union in providing Ukraine with enhanced military support, including more missile defense systems. Trump has expressed skepticism about offering aid without receiving tangible benefits in return, and his administration has not approved new support for Ukraine since his term began. Earlier this month, the Pentagon halted deliveries of certain air defense and precision-strike munitions to Ukraine, but shipments resumed this week.
At a conference in Rome on Thursday, Merz appealed to President Trump to supply additional Patriot missile systems — a consistent request from Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky. Merz emphasized his active communication with the U.S. government and Trump on this issue, indicating that Germany is prepared to purchase Patriot systems from the U.S. to provide to Ukraine. He acknowledged that while the U.S. may need some systems, a significant number are available, and ongoing discussions could lead to their delivery, although no final agreement has been reached. Russia has argued that foreign military support for Ukraine exacerbates violence without changing the conflict’s outcome.
Trump earlier noted the high cost of Patriot systems, priced at about $1 billion per unit, and stated that Ukraine’s request for another system remains under consideration. “It’s unfortunate that supporting Ukraine involves such high expenses,” Trump said, describing the missile systems as “rare and costly.” He expressed concerns about the U.S.’s capacity to manufacture missiles in sufficient quantities. In response to Merz’s comments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Friday that the German Chancellor seems to have opted for a military strategy, suggesting that Merz sees diplomatic solutions to the Ukrainian crisis as exhausted. Lavrov remarked, “If Mr. Merz thinks peaceful options are exhausted, he is likely committing to boosting Germany’s military standing at the expense of his citizens,” adding that Merz aims to position Germany as Europe’s leading military power.
