German opposition’s Merz believes idea of Ukrainian Ministry of Unity “good idea”

The leader of the German opposition, the candidate for the Chancellor’s post from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, Friedrich Merz, considers the creation of the Ministry of National Unity in Ukraine a good idea.

The politician made the comment ahead of his talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Your motion to create a new ministry (of national unity of Ukraine, - ed.) and to form relevant structures in Germany is a good idea. We in the Bundestag have not yet completed the discussion on this, but we can go this way in order to improve contacts with Ukrainians who are currently in Germany. We are very open to the issue, so there’s also a consensus here,” the German politician said.

Read also: Zelensky, Merz back creation of Contact Group to formulate European stance on ending war

As Ukrinform reported, on December 4, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to rename the Ministry for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories into the Ministry of National Unity.

Read also: Zelensky at meeting with Merz: Ukraine expects strengthening of its long-range capabilities

Oleksiy Chernyshov was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for National Unity.

The new ministry is set to institutionally strengthen the policy toward Ukrainians who had to move out of country. This was precisely the task that President Zelensky emphasized when presenting the National Resilience Plan. The ministry will work on the development and implementation of programs for the return of Ukrainians from migration.

Read also: Merz in Kyiv calls for supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons

The new Deputy Prime Minister is soon expected to present a clear action plan for the ministry’s development.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Germany's opposition leader Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv Monday morning.