Germany's Merz condemns Sumy attack as 'serious war crime'

• The attack on Sumy: On Sunday morning, Russia launched a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, leading to the deaths of at least 34 people and injuries to a further 117.
• 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 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 programme "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 - emphasised 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, emphasised that as the 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 from defence to offence.

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" by Russia on Sumy, indicating the lack of Russian readiness for peace.