Germany’s Next Leader Signals Support for Sending Taurus Missiles to Ukraine

Germany may soon approve the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, as incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Kyiv must be given the tools to shift the momentum of the war and pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into concessions.

In an interview with broadcaster ARD on April 13, Merz condemned a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 34 civilians and injured 117, calling it “a serious war crime.” He argued Ukraine must “get ahead” in the war rather than remain on the defensive.

“Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles,” Merz said. “The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway.” He added, “If it is coordinated, then Germany should participate in it.”

Germany has so far refused to send Taurus missiles. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has cited concerns about escalation and the long range of the weapon system — which exceeds 500 km and can strike deep into occupied Crimea or even Russian territory. The missiles are jointly developed by MBDA and Sweden’s Saab and are capable of targeting hardened infrastructure like bridges and bunkers.

Merz suggested that if Ukraine were equipped with Taurus missiles, they could be used to hit key Russian military infrastructure, including the 19-kilometer Kerch Bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea. The bridge, damaged in Ukrainian strikes in 2022 and 2023, remains a vital supply route for Russian forces.

“If the most important land connection between Russia and Crimea is destroyed... that would be an opportunity to bring this country [Ukraine] strategically back into the picture,” Merz said.

Although Merz has called for supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles in the past, he previously softened his stance during the federal election campaign, amid pressure from opponents who argued that Germany must avoid direct involvement in the conflict. His Christian Democrats (CDU) came first in February’s vote and are set to form the next government in May.

He now appears ready to revive the issue, but noted the decision must be taken with European partners. Whether Germany’s future coalition partners, including the Social Democrats, will support the move remains unclear.

Merz also criticized diplomatic overtures to Putin, including those by U.S. President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, warning that Moscow perceives calls for peace as a sign of weakness.

“He obviously interprets our willingness to talk not as a serious offer to facilitate peace but as weakness,” Merz said. “That’s what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire,” he added, pointing to the Sumy attack as an example.

The topic is expected to dominate Germany’s defense and foreign policy discussions in the coming weeks. The U.S., U.K., and France have already allowed Ukraine to strike within Russian-occupied territory using long-range systems such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow.

Germany’s decision could influence Kyiv’s ability to target military logistics in Crimea and elsewhere. For now, Merz insists the goal is not German participation in the war but giving Ukraine the capacity to shape the battlefield.

“At some point, Putin must recognise the hopelessness of this war,” Merz said. “That means we have to help Ukraine.”