Germany's Merz accuses Putin of war crimes after deadly Sumy strike

Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing a grave war crime in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, following a deadly missile strike that killed over 30 people, including children.

Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), described the attack as deliberate and brutal, highlighting that a second wave of missiles reportedly struck as rescuers were helping the wounded.

"This is the height of perfidy," he told public broadcaster ARD. "It was a deliberate and calculated war crime."

Ukrainian officials said the Russian attack on Sunday killed at least 34 people and injured more than 100 in the north-eastern city of Sumy.

Officials described the use of cluster munitions and said the missiles hit people in the street, cars, public transport and homes.

Merz used the attack to address those in Germany who "naively" continue to call for peace talks with Putin, saying: "This is what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire." He added that the Russian leader interprets such offers as weakness rather than a path to peace.

He also reiterated his long-standing support for supplying Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles, provided such action is coordinated with European allies.