**Germany’s Merz Leaves Door Open for Taurus Missile Delivery to Ukraine**
In a statement that has sparked fresh speculation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that delivering the powerful Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is not being ruled out. When asked about the possibility of Taurus deliveries for Kyiv, Merz replied, “Of course, that’s within the realm of possibility.”
However, Merz emphasized that using these missiles would require a significant training period, potentially taking several months. This comment comes after Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on May 28. During this visit, the German government announced €5 billion ($5.6 billion) in new military assistance and financial support for Ukraine’s long-range missiles program.
**No New Announcements on Taurus Delivery**
Despite the renewed interest in the possibility of delivering Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Merz made no new announcements about a delivery. Zelensky’s visit was accompanied by fresh speculations about a possible policy reversal, as Merz declared earlier this week that Germany and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv. However, the chancellor later clarified that this decision had been made “many months ago.”
**Focusing on Improving Ukraine’s Current Military Position**
Talking to ZDF TV, Merz stated that delivering Taurus missiles within six months or a year would be of no use to Ukraine today. As such, Berlin is focusing on improving Ukraine’s current military position rather than relying solely on long-range capabilities.
**Background: The Taurus Missile and Its Importance**
The Taurus is a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles). This capability makes it a valuable asset for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. In contrast, the long-range missiles that Ukraine has been using, such as U.S.-made ATACMS and U.K.-French Storm Shadow/SCALP, have more limited capabilities.
**The Biden Administration’s Role**
It is worth noting that the Biden administration and other allies eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles in late 2024. This decision allowed Ukraine to use these missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory. However, delivering Taurus missiles would require a new set of considerations and approvals.
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