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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Germany redefines defence role as Merz backs missile production in Ukraine

Friedrich Merz and Volodymyr Zelensky at a news conference in Berlin on 28 May. © Markus Schreiber / AP

Berlin is charting a new course in its European defence strategy as Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledges direct support for Ukraine’s independent long-range missile development, in a break from Germany's post-war policy of non-intervention.

In a marked departure from Germany’s stance on defence, Merz this week announced that Berlin will help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems – free from the restrictions that have limited Western-supplied weaponry.

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