Friedrich Merz will not deliver taurus missiles to Ukraine either

Germany has guaranteed the Ukraine supported by Russia to produce far -reaching rockets.

« We want to enable far -reaching weapons. We also want to enable common production, » said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after a meeting with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Berlin. Defense Minister of both countries, Boris Pistorius and Rustem Umjerow, met a specific agreement on the armaments cooperation during the visit.

Ukraine needs the far -reaching weapons to attack Russian airfields or post -drawers far behind the front – even on the Russian territory. The delivery of German Taurus marching aircraft to Ukraine becomes less likely with the German production aid for Ukrainian weapons-but it is not from the table.

What kind of weapons are it about?

It is about weapons of greater reach such as marching aircraft and other rockets that can hit the destinations of several hundred kilometers. So far, three countries have delivered such weapons to Ukraine of the western alliance partners of Ukraine: Great Britain, France and the USA – Germany. Selenskyj already applied two years ago to the then government of the social democratic chancellor Olaf Scholz with a range of 500 kilometers. Scholz did not want to deliver him because he feared that Germany would be drawn into war.

How does Merz feel about Taurus?

As an opposition leader, Merz of Ukraine had promised the precision weapon with which even destinations in Moscow could be hit. Since the Christian Democrat has been in office with the Social Democratic SPD for a few weeks, it has become more reserved and has also caused that individual weapons systems will no longer be spoken publicly. An agreement with the coalition partner on Taurus is difficult to imagine. The support of the Ukrainian production is now the way out of the dilemma.

Does Ukraine already produce such weapons?

Yes. The Ukrainian weapon with the greatest destructive power has so far been the anti-ship rocket R-360 Neptune, with which the Russian cruiser « Moskwa » was sunk in the Black Sea in 2022. Selenskyj said this March that the further development of Neptune-MD had 1,000 kilometers of range. According to the Department of Department of 2024, there is series production. The marching missile is now also used against destinations in the country. In March a Neptune met the refinery in the Russian city of Tuapse on the Black Sea.

Are there any other weapons?

Ukraine also has its own rocket HRIM-2 (German: Donner-2). At 450 kilometers, it flies a little less than the Taurus. The rocket Korschun and other weapons of different ranges are under development.

What exactly will the German support look like?

Selenskyj said that it was about financing existing projects in Ukraine. Merz explained that there will also be a collaboration at an industrial level, which could take place both in Ukraine and in Germany. Until further notice, you will not give any further details. Merz said: « But assume that the refusal of the Russian side of having talks, the refusal to comply with a ceasefire now really has consequences. »

How quickly can German weapons aid work?

The Ministry of Defense announced that « a considerable number of far -reaching weapons » could be produced this year. « The first of these systems can be used in the Ukrainian armed forces in a few weeks. » Since the systems have already been introduced in the Ukrainian armed forces, it does not require any additional training. This argument is also listed in the German government for production aid and against Taurus delivery.

Has the Taurus debate dealing with it?

No. Ukraine continues to penetrate this weapon. When asked whether the Ukrainian army continues to need Taurus, Selenskyj said at the press conference with Merz: « As far as your question concerns with regard to far -reaching weapons, which creates Germany or other countries – of course we will need this, of course we will discuss this topic. »

Will Merz give in?

This is rather unlikely. With the support of Ukrainian production, he takes the pressure from the Taurus debate. And against the will of his coalition partner, he would not deliver Taurus either. However, he will not take this option off the table for strategic reasons. He wants to leave Russia about it.

What about the diplomatic efforts?

Germany continues to support it. Merz has given the impression in the past few days as if he is losing the belief in a solution at the negotiating table. As a rule, wars came to an end through economic or military exhaustion, one of the two sides or on both sides, he said on Tuesday during a visit to Finland. « We are obviously far from that in this war. That’s why I expect that we may still have to adjust for a long time. »