German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said today that it is no longer necessary to send long-range “Taurus” missiles to help Ukraine against the Russian invasion - a decision that has long been discussed in Berlin, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
Kiev has long sought to obtain these missiles, but Berlin has refused to commit openly, fearing that it would increase tensions with Russia, which is a nuclear power.
While in opposition, Merz promised to send these missiles, but changed his position after coming to power in May last year.
In response to questions from members of the Bundestag today, Merz said his initial remarks were made in a “different context“, at a time when he assumed that the Bundeswehr had sufficient stocks of operational “Taurus“ cruise missiles to be able to supply Ukraine“.
He added that Kiev's progress in developing its own weapons had made the debate for the "Taurus" missiles, unnecessary.
„Today, Ukraine has in its arsenal long-range weapons that it has produced itself – partly with our help – and which are significantly more effective than the relatively small number of Taurus cruise missiles that we can supply it with, the German Chancellor said.
However, despite Ukraine being "better armed now than ever before", it faces "significant financial difficulties", he stressed, pointing to the need to "mobilise funds for Ukraine" so that the production of these weapons can continue.
After the US under President Donald Trump withdrew most of its support for Ukraine last year, Germany became Kiev's main supplier and significantly increased military aid to the country.
In 2026, Berlin pledged 11.5 billion euros in aid, mainly for Iris-T anti-aircraft systems and for batteries “Patriot“.