The United Kingdom would support Germany if it decides to supply the Ukraine with Taurus missiles, according to a report by the Telegraph on Wednesday citing British government sources. London has long supported arming Kiev with the German-made weapon, which has a range of 500 kilometers and is capable of hitting targets deep within Russian territory. Moscow has warned that the delivery of long-range weapons to Kiev and permission to attack Russian territory would be considered an escalation of hostilities. “We are continuing to work with our partners, including Germany, to equip Ukraine as well as possible for the defense of its sovereign territory” said a British foreign affairs official to the newspaper regarding possible Taurus deliveries. The report follows recent statements by designee Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, who signaled his willingness to deliver Taurus rockets to Kiev. In his time as opposition politician, CDU chief had openly shown his willingness to deliver the weapon system to Ukraine. When asked about this on Sunday in the ARD program by Caren Miosga, Merz said: “I have always said that I would do it.” Merz referred to the “European partners” that already deliver missiles. “The British do it, the French do it, the Americans do it anyway.” In coordination with European partners, he is ready to deliver the Taurus, said Merz. With the German missile, Ukraine can “come to the situation” instead of just reacting, so the former Blackrock manager. Merz’s stance stands in sharp contrast to that of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has repeatedly refused to deliver Taurus rockets to Kiev. Furthermore, Scholz warned that this would escalate the conflict and bring Germany directly into a war with Moscow. Merz is expected to take office in May. Union and SPD have already agreed on a coalition agreement. While the CSU board has already accepted the agreement, the sister party’s decision is still pending. The CDU will vote on the agreement at a small party conference on April 28. The biggest hurdle the coalition agreement still has to clear is the vote of the SPD membership. All around 358,000 party members can vote on this until April 29. The question of Taurus deliveries is “still a point of contention” in negotiations with the SPD, said CDU defense policy spokesperson Roderich Kiesewetter to the Telegraph. SPD politicians have expressed concern about the range and destructive power of the Taurus, arguing that the German missile therefore represents a greater risk of escalation than its British or French counterpart. SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch hinted this week that Merz could change his course once he becomes chancellor and has access to secret information. “I assume that Friedrich Merz, when he is fully briefed by the services, will then weigh the decision very carefully. And we will make this decision together” said Miersch. He pointed out that the acting defense minister Boris Pistorius recently emphasized that when Chancellor Scholz made the decision not to deliver the Taurus, also secret findings played a role. According to Pistorius, there are “many good arguments” against the delivery, but not all can be publicly named. However, Moscow warned Berlin on Thursday: If Ukraine receives the Taurus missiles and attacks Russian targets, Moscow will consider this as direct participation of Germany in the war. This was declared by the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Sacharowa.
UK Said to Back Taurus Rocket Delivery to Ukraine Amidst International Coordination Efforts
