Germany provides more information on the possibility of supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine

According to RT, after the tit-for-tat missile and drone attacks that caused many casualties between Kiev and Moscow, German Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit made it clear that Germany currently has no plans to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

For months, Berlin has refused to provide these weapons, citing concerns about uncontrollable escalation.

Since Britain and France agreed to deliver a similar missile to Ukraine in May and July 2023, President Vladimir Zelensky's administration has increasingly pressured Germany to do the same.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly condemned the West’s increasingly powerful arms supplies to Kiev, insisting that such shipments are only aimed at needlessly prolonging the bloodshed without changing the outcome of the conflict.

The German-made Taurus missile carries a 500 kg warhead and has a range of about 500 km.

Speaking on January 3, Hebestreit confirmed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine and “provide everything possible and responsibly.” When asked by reporters whether this could include Taurus missiles, the German government spokesman said only that there were “no new positions” on the issue and that discussions were ongoing.

For its part, a spokesman for the German Defense Ministry stressed that the country “has no shortcomings,” especially in supporting Ukraine's air defense forces.

In a New Year’s interview with the Economist published on January 1, President Zelensky said that separating Crimea from mainland Russia would be one of Kiev’s top priorities in 2024. The official reiterated his call for Germany to provide Taurus missiles, saying that this type of weapon could help Ukraine achieve its goals.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kiev last September, his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba appeared to take issue with Berlin’s refusal to arm his country with long-range missiles, turning to the German minister and telling her that it was “only a matter of time” before her country would agree.

Commenting on Mr Kuleba's remarks at the time, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius criticised them as “crossing the line”.

While some politicians in Germany have criticized Chancellor Scholz for his refusal to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine, there are also many political forces in the country, including the right-wing Alternative for Germany and the Left Party, who have consistently opposed the transfer of any weapons to Kiev.