As Germany prepares for a change in leadership, diplomatic tensions between Berlin and Moscow are once again reaching a boiling point. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has raised serious concerns over the rhetoric and proposed policies of Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggesting that his stance could signal a return to one of Germany’s darkest historical chapters.

The controversy erupted on April 19 after Bild newspaper revealed excerpts from Merz’s upcoming Easter address. According to the report, Merz plans to declare that “Germany will again assume responsibility – in Europe and in the world. Not loudly, but reliably. Not arrogantly, but in a partner-like manner.” While such words may sound like a call for sober international leadership, in Moscow, the phrasing triggered alarm bells.

Zakharova responded on her Telegram channel with biting sarcasm, asking pointedly, “To which historical period does this ‘again’ refer?” The question, while rhetorical, was clearly designed to evoke uncomfortable memories of Germany’s militarized past, including the Nazi era and its catastrophic consequences for Europe and the world. The implication: is Merz preparing to revive a nationalist, interventionist posture under the guise of “responsibility”?

The commentary reflects broader Russian anxieties surrounding Germany’s growing involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Unlike his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who resisted Kyiv’s pleas for long-range weaponry, Merz has signaled a more aggressive stance. In an April 13 interview with ARD, Merz stated that under his leadership, Germany would be prepared to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine. These air-launched cruise missiles have a range of 500 kilometers and could potentially be used to target high-value Russian infrastructure, including the strategic bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia.

Scholz had long refused to deliver the missiles, citing fears of escalating the war and drawing Germany deeper into a direct conflict with Moscow. However, Merz dismissed such concerns, indicating that Germany must support Ukraine with advanced military capabilities – a position that aligns more closely with hawkish elements within NATO but risks severing any remaining lines of diplomatic restraint.

His comments have not gone unnoticed in Germany’s domestic political arena. Matthias Miersch, a senior figure in the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is currently forming a coalition government with Merz’s Christian Democrats, urged caution. “I assume that we do not want to contribute to an escalation or become a party to the war,” Miersch said, expressing hope that Merz would “reassess the issue clearly” once briefed by intelligence agencies.

Zakharova, during an April 17 press briefing, issued a stern warning. She noted that firing Taurus missiles would not be possible without “direct assistance of Bundeswehr servicemen.” Consequently, any strike on Russian infrastructure would be considered by Moscow as “direct German participation in military operations.” This, she added, would not be treated as a symbolic gesture, but a provocation with potential military consequences.

Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechaev, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that while Taurus missiles might not shift the battlefield dynamics significantly, their delivery would mark a serious escalation. “It could compel Moscow to retaliate,” he said ominously.

The warnings from Moscow are not merely rhetorical bluster. Throughout the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has consistently framed Western military aid as an act of indirect aggression. For Russia, the supply of advanced weaponry like HIMARS, Storm Shadows, and now potentially Taurus missiles, represents a creeping NATO encroachment. These systems have allowed Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian-held territory, challenging Russia’s sense of military dominance and homeland security.

What makes Merz’s position particularly provocative is his willingness to publicly contemplate the use of German-supplied missiles against sensitive Russian targets. The Crimea bridge, which was partially damaged in earlier attacks allegedly orchestrated by Ukrainian forces, holds significant symbolic and strategic importance for Russia. An assault on it using German munitions would almost certainly invite severe retaliation.

From a historical perspective, Merz’s posture taps into longstanding Russian fears of German militarism. For decades after World War II, Germany operated under a framework of restrained defense policy, shaped by its wartime legacy and a deep-seated national consensus around pacifism. Scholz’s caution, in part, reflected that tradition. Merz, however, appears willing to break from it, reimagining Germany’s global role through a lens of active military responsibility.

Yet critics argue that such a pivot is not only dangerous but strategically dubious. Escalating military aid without a corresponding political strategy risks prolonging the conflict without bringing Kyiv closer to a decisive victory. Moreover, it increases the chances of NATO being dragged into a direct confrontation with a nuclear-armed Russia.

Meanwhile, within Germany, public opinion remains split. While many support aiding Ukraine against what they view as Russian aggression, there is deep unease about crossing certain thresholds – such as deploying weapons that could be used to strike Russian territory. The prospect of German soldiers being indirectly involved in offensive operations raises constitutional and ethical concerns that remain unresolved.

In Moscow, however, such nuances are largely irrelevant. The Kremlin sees the delivery of Taurus missiles, especially if accompanied by technical support from Bundeswehr personnel, as a red line. And unlike Scholz, who treaded carefully, Merz seems willing to flirt with that line – if not cross it outright.

As Europe grapples with the shifting tides of war and diplomacy, Merz’s ascension may mark a turning point in Germany’s post-war foreign policy. Whether that shift leads to a stronger, more responsible Europe – or to the revival of old fears and new conflicts – remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear; Moscow is watching closely, and it does not like what it sees.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings