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Germany’s Next Chancellor Merz Ready to Supply Taurus Missiles to Ukraine

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Germany’s Next Chancellor Merz Ready to Supply Taurus Missiles to Ukraine
Friedrich Merz, leader of the German Christian Democrats (CDU), speaks to the media after an event in which they confirmed him as chancellor candidate on November 30, 2024, in Schmallenberg, Germany. (Source: Getty Images)

Germany’s next chancellor signaled his willingness to provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles, marking a potential shift in Berlin’s military support as Kyiv continues to press for more high-precision weapons to hit deep into Russian-held territory, The Financial Times reported on April 13.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and the expected successor to Olaf Scholz said that Germany should participate in supplying Taurus missiles if a joint decision is reached with European allies.

“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.”

“This must be jointly agreed. And if it is agreed, then Germany should take part,” he added.

His remarks were reported by the Financial Times and follow a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 34 civilians and injured 119.

Merz called the attack “a serious war crime” and used it to underscore his case for increased military aid.

Taurus long-range air-to-surface missile fired from a South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jet during an exercise on September 12, 2017, in Taean-gun, South Korea. (Source: Getty Images)
Taurus long-range air-to-surface missile fired from a South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jet during an exercise on September 12, 2017, in Taean-gun, South Korea. (Source: Getty Images)

“That’s what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire,” he said. “At some point, [Putin] must recognize the hopelessness of this war, which means we have to help Ukraine.”

While Merz previously softened his stance on Taurus deliveries during the election campaign, he now appears poised to revive the issue. He also suggested that the missiles could be used to strike high-value targets such as the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea and is viewed as a strategic and symbolic asset for Moscow.

The Taurus system, developed by a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Sweden’s Saab, has a range of more than 500 kilometers—greater than the British-French Storm Shadow and the US-supplied ATACMS—and is capable of penetrating hardened targets like bunkers and bridges thanks to its intelligent warhead.

Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly refused to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns about “a great risk of escalation.”

However, Merz criticized Scholz’s reluctance last year, even calling for an ultimatum to be issued to the Kremlin with a 24-hour deadline to halt attacks on civilians or face German weapons deliveries.

Merz’s coalition partner, Social Democrat co-leader Lars Klingbeil, has expressed support for Ukraine but faces internal resistance within his party. SPD members are now voting on whether to approve the coalition deal that could bring Merz into office as early as next month.

If approved, Germany could join the UK, France, and the US in providing long-range strike capability—bolstering Ukraine’s ability to hit targets far behind Russian lines and pressuring Moscow to consider concessions at the negotiating table.

Earlier, Merz criticized current restrictions on the range of weapons provided to Ukraine, noting that these limitations undermine its ability to defend itself effectively.

“By limiting the range of the weapons we provide, we are forcing you [Ukraine] to fight with one hand tied behind your back,” Merz said.

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