Germany Nixes Taurus Missile Delivery to Ukraine, Yet Plans Aid Boost
Berlin has no plans for delivering Taurus missiles to Kiev.
The prospect of Germany supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, capable of striking targets over 500 kilometers away, has been flatly rejected by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. During a press conference in Kyiv, he stated emphatically, "Negative." This missile would enable Ukraine to potentially target Russian territory from within its borders.
Pistorius' visit to Kyiv was marked by an announcement of additional €1.9 billion in military aid for Ukraine, raising the total German support for Ukraine this year to around €9 billion. The minister also revealed plans for Germany to co-finance long-range weapons systems produced in Ukraine and to support Ukraine's defense industry to improve its capacity.
The Taurus missile debate has lingered in German politics for some time. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's administration, which includes Pistorius, had steadfastly refused to supply these missiles. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, prior to taking office, had expressed support for them, reigniting the debate. The new federal government has now decided to refrain from public debates about weapons for Ukraine, to keep Russia in the dark.
Public sentiment in Germany is divided on the subject of Taurus missile delivery. According to polls, almost two-thirds of Germans (63%) are against it. Opposition is particularly high in eastern Germany (82%) but lower in the west (59%). There is also division among political parties, with CDU/CSU and Green supporters favoring joint production of long-range weapons, while AfD supporters vehemently oppose it.
[Source: ntv.de, gut/AFP/dpa]
- Ukraine
- Attack on Ukraine
- Taurus Cruise Missiles
- Boris Pistorius
- Friedrich Merz
- Olaf Scholz
- Kyiv
Interesting Facts
While Germany has decided against supplying Taurus missiles, its support for Ukraine's defense remains substantial. Furthermore, the debate about these missiles highlights the ongoing tension between political considerations, public opinion, and the potential escalation of conflict in the region.
- Amidst the ongoing debate, the Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the implementation of the European Union's energy policy,, as politics surrounding weapon supply to war-and-conflicts-stricken Ukraine, such as the Taurus cruise missiles, take center stage.
- Beyond the Taurus missile issue, the general news landscape continues to be marked by extended discussions on the political implications of weapon supplies, with the public expressing differing opinions, particularly in regions like eastern Germany, where opposing views against such deliveries are high.
