TAURUS—Long Range Missiles Cannot be Provided To : Ukraine (German FM)

Despite Ukraine’s request for long-range ammunition from the west, Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, has stated that the delivery of the promised “TAURUS” long-range missile cannot be made until many aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are considered.

The German foreign minister made the following remarks to the Funke media group, elaborating that “delivery of such weapon systems as TAURUS Long Range missiles should not be done as quickly as the delivery of Leopard tanks and IRIS-T air defense systems that Germany has already sent to Ukraine.”

Germany is well aware of the desperation of the Ukrainian side due to the TAURUS Missile’s range of well over 500 kilometers, which would allow them to attack Russian supply lines located far behind. And indefinitely would determine the conflict’s outcome.

The German foreign minister was also asked whether the missile could be programmed to attack Russian cities, to which she responded, “other partners have similar questions and have found solutions.”

Despite the fact that the United Kingdom and France have provided Ukraine with long-range missiles, Ukraine has used them to attack numerous cities in Donbass and Crimea, and Germany’s participation in this conflict is extremely hesitant.

By providing Ukraine with long-range weapons, both the German chancellor and U.S. military analysts are concerned that if Ukraine were to use these weapons to attack populated regions in Russia, the conflict could spread beyond the borders.

There has been speculation on the engagement of the German chancellor in discussions with the maker of the TAURUS missile. It is emphasized that the missiles delivered should be designed to refrain from attacking Russian inhabited centers, prioritizing this objective above all else.

Indeed, Russia has warned Ukraine’s supporters against providing the country with long-range weapons, arguing that doing so would exponentially escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders and into NATO-held territories in the region.