Merz eyes Taurus missile aid for Ukraine with EU backing
The future Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, is considering delivering Taurus long-range systems to Ukraine. However, he set a condition: "I would do it, but only in agreement with European partners," he stated.
What do you need to know?
- The probable Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, is considering providing Ukraine with Taurus long-range systems.
- He emphasized that he wants to do it in "agreement with European partners."
- Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz was opposed to such actions, arguing that it would lead to an escalation of the conflict.
The future Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, announced on ARD television that he is ready to provide Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles. He reminded that some countries are already supplying Kyiv with cruise missiles. "The British are doing it, the French are doing it, the Americans are doing it anyway. Supplies must be agreed upon and, if this is done, Germany must participate in them," he said.
Merz emphasized that the transfer must be agreed upon with other countries. "I have always said that I would do it, but only in agreement with European partners," he reiterated.
German media remind that during the election campaign, Merz was more restrained in his comments regarding the Taurus systems. He spoke about the need to supply "cruise missiles" but did not specify which systems he meant.
Scholz did not want to give Tauruses to Ukraine
The recently presented coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party of Germany does not mention the delivery of Taurus systems to Ukraine.
The current Chancellor, Olaf Scholz from SPD, repeatedly rejected Kyiv's requests for Tauruses. He argued it could lead to an escalation between Russia and NATO, a stance praised by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Since the beginning of Russia's invasion, Germany has been the second-largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, after the United States.
