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Merz: Germany open to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine
2025-04-14 16:51:01 / BOTA
Germany is prepared to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine as part of efforts to help Kiev gain momentum against Russia, incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said.
Speaking to ARD's Caren Miosga on Sunday, Merz made it clear that he stood by his past calls to provide the Ukrainian military with long-range weapons.
The suggestion contradicts the policy of current German leader Olaf Scholz, who has refused to give Ukraine the missiles.
Merz's comments came after a Russian missile attack - which he called "a grave war crime" - left at least 34 civilians dead and 117 injured in the Ukrainian city of Sumy.
The German Chancellor in waiting explained his position on the Taurus missiles, saying that the Ukrainian military should be able to "overcome the situation."
However, Merz stressed that the delivery of the long-range missiles would only take place after consultations with Germany's European allies.
"This must be coordinated. And if it is agreed, then Germany must participate," said Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Merz noted that German allies such as the British and French have already supplied the Ukrainians with cruise missiles.
However, the Taurus system offers a greater range than the French Scalp cruise missile or the British Storm Shadow missile. It also has the accuracy needed to effectively destroy critical targets, such as bridge piers.
The future German Chancellor mentioned that it could be used to target the Kerch Bridge, the most important land link between Russia and the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.
"This would be a way to finally put this country strategically - to stay on the sidelines - ahead of the situation," Merz explained, adding that he was not convinced that "Putin would react positively to weakness and peace offers."
Ukraine has sought the delivery of German Taurus missiles for years, primarily so that it can target strategically important infrastructure, such as the Kerch Strait.
The bridge was attacked several times during the war, but was not completely destroyed.
Chancellor Scholz has always refused to hand over Taurus missiles, fearing that Germany could become a party to the war if it sends the weapons to Kiev.
The outgoing SPD chancellor's policies have been criticized by Ukraine.
It is unclear whether Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has agreed to form a coalition government with the CDU, will support Merz's stance on the issue.
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