Germany's Merz slams Russia's “war crime” attack on Sumy

• The attack on Sumy: On Sunday morning, Russia launched a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 people and injuring 117 others.
• Germany's reaction: Friedrich Merz, the future chancellor of Germany, condemned the attack, describing it as a "serious war crime" by Russia.
• Support for Ukraine: Germany, as the second-largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, is considering providing it with Taurus missiles.

- It was a perfidious act.. and it is a serious war crime, deliberate and intended - said the CDU chairman on the ARD television program "Caren Miosga," who will lead Germany's new government in early May.

- That is the response, that is what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire - added Merz.

- Our willingness to discuss with him is interpreted not as a serious offer to make peace, but as weakness - emphasized the CDU leader.

Merz, who even as an opposition politician advocated for Germany to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, emphasized that as future chancellor, he is open to this possibility.

- I have always said that I would only do it in agreement with European partners. It must be coordinated and if it is coordinated, then Germany should participate - he said. According to him, the Ukrainian army must move out of defense.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion, Germany has been the second-largest, after the United States, supplier of military aid to Ukraine.

Earlier on Sunday, Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor of Germany, also condemned the "barbaric attack" of Russia on Sumy, pointing to the lack of Russian readiness for peace.