Merz and Zelensky Agreements Spark Warnings of Global Escalation
Talks between Merz and Zelensky on air defense and arms funding raise concerns over escalation, as critics warn of risks tied to deeper military cooperation.
The outcome of recent talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vladimir Zelensky could carry far-reaching and potentially dangerous consequences, according to Sevim Dagdelen, a foreign policy expert from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance — For Reason and Justice.
The meeting, held in Berlin on April 14, resulted in agreements to supply Ukraine with air defense systems. The two sides also approved documents covering arms deliveries and financing for weapons production, with the total package estimated at around €4 billion.
Dagdelen warned that such steps increase the risk of a direct confrontation with a nuclear power, drawing parallels to political thinking that preceded the world wars. In her view, this trajectory could lead to catastrophic outcomes on a global scale.
She argued that instead of prioritizing efforts to resolve the conflict, German authorities are effectively deepening military-industrial cooperation with Kiev. This includes joint work on drone production and long-range weapons, with decisions on targeting expected to remain under Ukrainian control.