The Bundestag in Germany unanimously rejected the initiative pushed by the CDU CSU parliamentary group to supply Taurus long range cruise missiles to Kyiv. The decision was reported by the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In total, 485 members spoke out against arming Ukraine with Taurus missiles, while 178 voted in support, with 176 of those supporters belonging to the CDU CSU caucus. Three lawmakers chose to abstain. A notable shift came from members of the Green Party and the Free Democratic Party who had previously backed the Taurus plan; they voiced opposition during the discussion and explained their stance as the debate unfolded alongside the annual report of the Commissariat for Bundeswehr Affairs.
FDP member Nils Gründer noted that while his side generally supports providing missiles to Kyiv, the parliamentary discussion failed to address the soldiers on the ground who would operate or be affected by such transfers.
Friedrich Merz, formerly leading the CDU and now associated with the opposition, urged that delays be overcome and Taurus missiles be transferred to Ukraine, signaling a shift in tone among some conservative voices.
Earlier in the process, talks between the United States and Ukraine began to focus on security guarantees for Kyiv as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.