Ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, a significant push is emerging within the German Bundestag for the immediate delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the Bundestag, has publicly urged the government to follow through on previous calls for the weapons’ provision, citing the human cost of continued denial.
Speaking to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Nouripour acknowledged Chancellor Merz’s recent declaration of a leadership role for Germany and emphasized the importance of adhering to prior stances advocating for Taurus delivery. He argued that withholding such weaponry directly contributes to loss of life and that symbolic support via telephone calls is insufficient to exert meaningful pressure on Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who he asserted holds the sole power to end the conflict.
However, the pressure for action extends beyond armaments. Roderich Kiesewetter, the CDU’s security expert, is advocating for a broader demonstration of European resolve in supporting Ukraine. He believes the US prioritizes displays of strength and clear positioning and contends that European nations should proactively pursue the restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 borders as a strategic objective. This approach, Kiesewetter argues, should operate as a counterbalance to US efforts and actively work to preserve Ukrainian sovereignty through robust defense support.
Echoing a widely-held perspective, Kiesewetter highlighted Ukraine’s role as Europe’s first line of defense, warning that democracies must demonstrate a clear will to prevail to prevent the conflict’s escalation. His demands extend to a comprehensive review of Russia’s Baltic Sea naval presence, assumption of air defense capabilities in Western Ukraine, significantly increased financial assistance to Ukraine’s arms industry and a renewed commitment to delivering Taurus missiles.
Beyond military and economic aid, Kiesewetter specifically called for a European strategy focused on informing the Russian public about the atrocities committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians. He stressed the importance of documenting and prosecuting these war crimes, alongside improved public communication within Europe about the stakes involved in the conflict. Kiesewetter vehemently opposed any pressure on Ukraine to concede to US or Russian demands, insisting Europe must clearly signal its commitment to a Ukrainian victory and dedicate all necessary resources to achieving it. The debate underscores a growing tension regarding European agency in the conflict and the extent to which Ukraine’s fate should be dictated by external powers.