Germany ready to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine, says Merz

Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has said Berlin is willing to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, as he condemned a deadly Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy and called for greater Western resolve in confronting the Kremlin.

Speaking to German public broadcaster on April 13, Merz said the time had come for Kyiv to be put on the front foot in the war against Russia and warned that President Vladimir Putin only responds to strength, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“At some point, [Putin] must recognise the hopelessness of this war, which means we have to help Ukraine,” he said.

His comments came hours after a Russian missile attack on Sumy killed at least 34 civilians and injured more than 100. Merz described the strike as a “serious war crime”, adding that it illustrated the futility of negotiating ceasefires with Moscow.

“This is what Putin does to those who talk to him about peace,” he said.

Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), is expected to become Germany’s next head of government following his party’s victory in the February federal election. He indicated he would be ready to deliver the Taurus missile system — something long requested by Ukraine — if done in coordination with European partners.

“Our European allies are already supplying cruise missiles — the British, the French, and of course the Americans,” Merz noted. “This must be jointly agreed. And if it is agreed, then Germany should take part.”

The Taurus missile, produced by a joint venture between European defence firm MBDA and Sweden’s Saab, has a range exceeding 500km — greater than the UK and France’s Storm Shadow and the US Army’s Tactical Missile System. It is capable of striking deep behind enemy lines and could potentially be used to target key sites such as the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to Crimea.

Ukraine views the Kerch Bridge as a symbol of Putin’s occupation of the peninsula.

Merz’s stance marks a sharp departure from that of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has repeatedly resisted pressure to send Taurus missiles, citing fears of escalating the war. He argued that the move could drag Germany into direct confrontation with Russia.

While Merz had previously urged Scholz to issue an ultimatum to Putin and commit to missile deliveries if Russian attacks continued, he later moderated his tone during the election campaign as Scholz presented himself as a “chancellor of peace”. The shift also reflected concerns over the growing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has called for improved ties with Moscow.

It remains uncertain whether the Social Democrats (SPD), Merz’s expected coalition partner, will back the move. SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil pledged support for “brave Ukrainians” during the announcement of the coalition deal, but there remains deep scepticism within parts of his party over escalating military support.

SPD members are due to begin voting this week on whether to ratify the coalition agreement.

By Aghakazim Guliyev