German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Reconsiders Taurus Missile Supply to Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated he no longer believes there is a need to supply Ukraine with Taurus long-range cruise missiles, citing Ukraine’s advancements in domestic weapons production. This marks a shift from his previous calls for Germany to provide these missiles to Kyiv.
Source: European Truth, reporting on statements made by Merz to n-tv.
Previous Calls for Missile Transfers
Prior to becoming Chancellor, Merz consistently urged the German government to transfer long-range missiles to Ukraine. Kyiv had also directly requested these missiles, but Berlin previously declined to fulfill those requests.
Shift in Position Explained
Speaking before the Bundestag, Merz explained his change of heart, stating that Ukraine now possesses the capability to produce its own long-range weaponry. He argued that Ukrainian-made long-range weapons are “significantly more effective than the relatively small number of Taurus cruise missiles that Germany could transfer.”
Merz also clarified that his earlier advocacy for missile transfers was based on the assumption that the German military had sufficient operational Taurus units available for deployment to Ukraine.
Recent Developments in German-Ukrainian Defense Cooperation
In January 2026, Franziska Brantner, co-chair of the German Green party, called for increased air defense support for Ukraine, including the transfer of Taurus long-range missiles, amid intensified Russian shelling.
German government officials had previously avoided direct responses to questions regarding the potential transfer of long-range missiles to Ukraine.
In late May 2025, Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement in Berlin to finance the production of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons.
Friedrich Merz. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/picture alliance via Getty Images
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