Overview

• Friedrich Merz, Germany's likely next chancellor, has expressed openness to delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in coordination with European allies.
• The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that any use of Taurus missiles against Russian infrastructure would classify Germany as a direct participant in the war.
• Maria Sacharowa, Russian MFA spokeswoman, claimed that deploying the missiles would require Bundeswehr involvement, further escalating tensions.
• Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has consistently rejected supplying Taurus missiles, citing concerns over Germany being perceived as a belligerent.
• Russia has previously issued similar threats over Western missile deliveries, such as the U.S. ATACMS and U.K. Storm Shadow systems, and retaliated with hypersonic missile strikes after their use against Russian targets.