German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday slammed Russia's use of its new Oreshnik ballistic missile to target Ukraine.
"The German government sharply condemns this reckless escalation," Merz posted on X, making explicit reference to the Oreshnik. "Germany continues to stand firmly at Ukraine's side."
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the deployment of the Oreshnik "shocking," describing use of the new system as a further escalation. He said its use was confirmation that the proposals made at a recent NATO foreign ministers' meeting should be pursued rigorously.
"Only a strong Ukraine will be able to make [Russian President Vladimir] Putin relent," Wadephul said.
The German Foreign Office said earlier that the ministers had discussed additional financial aid to Ukraine at the meeting in Helsingborg in Sweden.
Earlier on Sunday, Ukrainian authorities said the Oreshnik missile had struck the major city of Bila Tserkva in the Kiev region.
Its extremely high speed of up to 12,000 kilometres per hour, with a range of up to 5,000 kilometres, makes it a potential threat to the entire European continent.
