Ukraine has formally asked Germany to supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles, capable of striking targets at considerable distance, including potential operational zones well inside enemy lines. This admission came through press reporting rooted in German sources and has sparked a wide debate among policymakers about the strategic consequences of such a transfer.
During a high-profile visit to Berlin in early May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly raised the issue of Taurus missiles with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. While the German government has not publicly detailed the exchange, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defense acknowledged that Ukraine has sought access to Taurus missiles and emphasized that formal decisions remain under consideration.
The conservative press has highlighted the delicate balancing act facing Berlin as it weighs weapon characteristics, range, and potential consequences for the broader course of the conflict. Observers caution that introducing a system with substantial reach could alter battlefield dynamics and invite heightened retaliation, raising concerns about unintended escalations near the Ukrainian border.
Experts note that a Taurus system would extend Kyiv’s reach, enabling longer-range strikes that align with other modern capabilities already provided to Ukrainian forces. The Taurus, a joint German-Swedish project, is often compared to comparable Western systems and is seen by some commentators as a practical analogue to alternatives already in service with allied forces.
In late May, Germany’s defense minister spoke on the matter with measured restraint. He declined to disclose specifics about individual weapon systems and refrained from offering concrete stances on hypothetical scenarios, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the potential transfer.