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Germany to Limit Public Disclosure of Weapons Deliveries to Ukraine, Including Taurus Missiles

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Lucile Brizard
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Germany to Limit Public Disclosure of Weapons Deliveries to Ukraine, Including Taurus Missiles
South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jets conduct a Taurus air-to-surface missile exercise on September 12, 2017, in Taean-gun, South Korea. (Source: Getty Images)

The new German government will continue its military assistance to Ukraine but will limit public disclosures on specific weapons systems, German federal government spokesman Stefan Cornelius said at his first briefing in this position on May 8, according to Ukrinform.

Cornelius emphasized that while Germany is prepared to support Ukraine, including with weapons, it will not provide detailed information about the types or amounts of military aid.

“We are ready to continue to support Ukraine, including with weapons… But we will limit information on specific weapons systems,” Cornelius stated, adding that this policy would extend to Taurus missiles.

However, he did not directly address whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz was willing to approve the transfer of the missiles.

Cornelius explained that the decision to restrict information was made to prevent the enemy from gaining intelligence on Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.

“Detailed information about transferred weapons does not help Ukraine’s defense strategy if the enemy side knows everything,” he said.

German Defense Ministry spokesperson Michael Stampfle also emphasized the need for caution regarding the Taurus missiles, citing security reasons.

“Regarding Taurus, we are completely refraining (from providing information) for obvious reasons,” Stampfle stated.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has consistently underscored the need to limit public communication about certain weapon systems.

The German government had previously refrained from supplying the Taurus missiles despite Ukraine’s requests. In May 2023, Ukraine asked for the missiles, but then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed the move, despite support from several politicians, including Merz, who was the leader of the opposition at the time.

In related news, several European foreign ministers supported Friedrich Merz’s proposal to provide Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. The issue was raised during an EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg on April 14, with officials stressing the need to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing Russian attacks.

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