Germany considers missile delivery to Ukraine amid training concerns

    
• Transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in an interview with ZDF television, confirmed that providing Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, Taurus, is possible but would necessitate several months of training for Ukrainian soldiers.
• Cooperation with European partners: Germany is collaborating closely with the United Kingdom and France, both of which have already supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles, Storm Shadow and Scalp.
• Criticism and political decisions: Merz was previously criticised for unclear statements regarding the transfer of missiles, and the decision to supply Taurus missiles has not yet been announced.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a conversation with ZDF television, emphasised that providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles is feasible but would require several months of training for Ukrainian soldiers.

- We have always said - I said it myself - that Taurus requires several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine - stated Merz. He emphasised that cooperation with European partners, such as the United Kingdom and France, which have already delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine, is crucial in this process.

Merz, who had previously criticised his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, for an ambiguous stance on arming Ukraine, himself faced criticism from members of his CDU party concerning unclear statements about the transfer of long-range missiles that could be used against targets deep within Russian territory.

As noted by ZDF, even though Merz holds the reins of power, the decision to deliver Taurus missiles has not yet been announced.

Taurus missiles, which can hit targets at a distance of 500 kilometres, are considered highly effective "bunker busters." Their potential transfer to Ukraine is, therefore, a significant element in the context of military support for the country.