Kremlin says tough line from Merz on Ukraine risks escalating war

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference and phone-in, in Moscow, Russia December 19, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin criticised Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Monday over comments suggesting Germany might send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Merz, asked by German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday if he would supply Kyiv with Taurus missiles, said he would consider it if it were part of a wider package of support agreed with European allies.