German opposition leader Friedrich Merz is set to visit Kyiv, urging the establishment of a contact group to support Ukraine.

The leader of the opposition German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has announced his visit to Ukraine, as reported by the ntv channel, referencing PAP.

He also proposes the establishment of a contact group comprising Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom to develop a strategy for "supporting Ukraine to end the war."

The trip to Ukraine is scheduled for "the next few days," Merz stated on Wednesday in Berlin while delivering a speech on security policy. He mentioned that he would inform his European partners about the trip and its outcomes.

It is noted that the CDU leader visited Ukraine in May 2022, shortly after the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion.

While urging other European leaders to form a contact group regarding Ukraine, Merz remarked that he is doing this now because "none of us knows what will actually happen after January 20, 2025" (the inauguration of Donald Trump).

The CDU leader called on European countries to provide more assistance to Ukraine. It should be supported "with all necessary diplomatic, financial, humanitarian, and even military means required to exercise its right to self-defense and restore its territorial integrity," he stated.

"Ukraine must win the war, and Russia must lose it," Merz emphasized.

Background. Recall that the chancellor candidate Merz previously stated that he would provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, allowing them to strike Russia. However, this will be done on one condition – he will first address Putin with a demand to cease hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw troops.

The next elections in Germany are scheduled for the end of February.