Russia has issued a stern warning to Germany over plans to supply Ukraine with Taurus long-range cruise missiles, cautioning that any Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure using these weapons would be considered direct German involvement in the ongoing conflict.
The warning came shortly after Germany’s presumptive next Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed openness to delivering the Taurus missile system to Ukraine, contingent on agreement and coordination with European allies. Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), signaled a break from the current government’s more cautious stance, which has so far refused to supply the missiles due to fears of escalating the war.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, emphasized on April 17, 2025, that any use of Taurus missiles against Russia’s “essential transport infrastructure” would be interpreted as Germany directly participating in hostilities. “A Taurus strike against any Russian facility of critical transport infrastructure… all of this would be regarded as direct participation of Germany in hostilities,” she said.
The Taurus KEPD-350 missile, jointly developed by European defense firm MBDA and Sweden’s Saab, has a range exceeding 500 kilometers, allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-held territories. Ukraine has requested the missiles for months to target strategic supply routes and infrastructure, including the Kerch Bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea a key symbol and logistical asset for Moscow.
Merz defended his position by highlighting the need for a collective European approach. “Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles,” he told German public broadcaster ARD. “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’s agreed, then Germany should take part.”
Merz’s comments have been welcomed by several European allies, including the Netherlands, Poland, and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who see the move as a crucial signal of European unity and support for Ukraine’s defense.
However, the announcement has also sparked sharp criticism from Moscow. Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and deputy head of the country’s security council, responded on social media by calling Merz a “Nazi” and warning him to “think twice.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned that Merz’s tougher stance risks escalating the conflict further, accusing European capitals of fueling the continuation of the war rather than seeking peace.
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Germany’s current Chancellor Olaf Scholz has maintained a more restrained position, warning of the “great risk of escalation” if Taurus missiles were supplied. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is expected to form a coalition government with Merz’s CDU, remains divided on the issue, with some members expressing concern over deeper involvement in the war.
As Germany prepares for a new government, the decision to supply Taurus missiles will be a critical test of its foreign and security policy. Britain, France, and the United States have already delivered their own long-range missile systems to Ukraine, increasing pressure on Germany to follow suit.
The situation places Berlin at a geopolitical crossroads, balancing alliance commitments, domestic political divisions, and the risk of direct confrontation with Russia. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining Germany’s role in the Ukraine conflict and the broader European security landscape.
Sources:
DW News
The Economic Times
Euractiv
Al Arabiya