Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, reiterates his willingness to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine in an ARD interview. He believes that this would enable the Ukrainian army to take the initiative rather than react. Merz suggests that the destruction of the Kertsch Bridge, a crucial land connection between Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula, would severely disrupt Russian military supply routes. He emphasizes that Putin is unlikely to respond positively to weakness and peace offers. Merz warns against underestimating Russia’s endurance in the conflict and suggests that Ukraine should have been supported more strongly from the beginning. He also criticizes the concept of Russian people’s resilience, which is frequently mentioned in media and by Russia experts.