The Bavarian Premier emphasized: we need more Taurus missiles for ourselves
Amid the whirlwind of political discussions regarding the supply of arms to Ukraine, Bavaria’s leader and Chair of the Christian Social Union (CSU), Markus Söder, made a striking point: the key is actually the internal stockpile of Taurus missiles, and it is primarily the German government’s responsibility to increase their number. In his comments, he noted that the decision to send this high-precision long-range weaponry to Ukraine falls under the competence of the future Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his team. Söder’s words imply that the final decision will most likely be made after a change in leadership in the Federal Republic. “This decision depends on the future chancellor,” he clarified. “The main priority now is to ensure our own defense, so the number of Taurus missiles for our army must be increased.” He emphasized that Taurus missiles are one of the most effective types of weaponry possessed by the German military. According to Söder, this weapon “is even respected by Russian forces,” which attests to its high combat value and status in modern military technology. At the same time, debates continue within party circles. Co-chair of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, expresses a unified stance on the necessity of making a collective and coordinated decision within the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition — this refers not only to internal political mechanisms but also to European and security standards. Recently, Friedrich Merz has discussed the possibility of transferring long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine but emphasizes that such a decision must be coordinated with European partners and allies. Merz’s statements, particularly his comments regarding procedural inadequacies in coordination, have sparked sharp criticism from the Kremlin. Russian officials condemned him in connection with the potential supply of German weapons to Ukraine and warned of possible consequences for German-Russian relations. In German political circles, there are ongoing hopes to find a compromise solution: conservatives and the Chancellor Scholz’s team aim to reach a joint decision on transferring Taurus missiles to Ukraine, which would help preserve balance in domestic politics and avoid misunderstandings. Ultimately, the topic of Taurus deliveries has become one of the most heated on the German political agenda. Considering its importance, along with NATO’s limited resources and national defense priorities, leading politicians insist that the best approach is to strengthen the navy’s own stockpile of Taurus missiles first, before contemplating international transfers. This issue will remain central until government decisions and political agreements are finalized, taking into account Russia’s reactions and potential geopolitical consequences.