The Kremlin has claimed that Germany would be considered a “direct participant” in the Russia-Ukraine War if the incoming coalition government proceeds with sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Russia sends stark warning to Germany over Taurus missiles
A spokesperson for the Kremlin’s Foreign Ministry has warned that a long-range strike involving German missiles “against any Russian facility of critical transport infrastructure [...] would be regarded as direct participation of Germany in hostilities”.
The warning from Russia came after incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said he was willing to send long-range missiles to Ukraine if Germany did so in coordination with other European countries.
So far, only the US, UK and France have supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has ruled out supplying the Ukrainian Army with German-produced, long-range Taurus missiles.
German politicians still divided on sending Taurus missiles
Several European officials, from the UK, the Netherlands and Poland, have now voiced support for Merz’s proposed U-turn.
Meanwhile, representatives from the SPD - the centre-left party set to govern in coalition with the CDU from May 7 - have reiterated their opposition and apprehension to supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles.
In an interview with n-tv, General Secretary Matthias Miersch said the SPD did not want “to become a warring party” and urged Merz to reconsider his proposal once he had received more up-to-date, detailed, classified information on the matter. Only then should the coalition seek a consensus, said Miersch.
Existing German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), who is expected to retain his post in the incoming government, remains cautious. “There are good arguments for the delivery and use of Taurus missiles. And there are many arguments - good arguments - against it," Pistorius said at an SPD conference in Hanover, Lower Saxony.
Why are Germany’s Taurus missiles so sought after?
Germany’s Taurus missiles would allow the Ukrainian Army to hit targets which are much further into Russia than is possible with its current artillery.
At the moment, Ukraine can use ATACMS long-range missiles supplied by the US to hit targets a maximum of 300 kilometres away. Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the UK and France can hit targets around 250 km away.
The German-produced Taurus KEPD-350 missiles are more advanced, can travel at a maximum of 1.170 kilometres per hour and hit targets as far as 500 km away.
The Iskander SS-26 ballistic missile, which can hit targets up to 500 km away, has already been used by Russia to target Ukraine.