Former NATO Secretary General Urges Germany to Deliver Taurus Missiles to Ukraine for Strengthened Defense
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has made a compelling call for Germany to deliver advanced long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine and has urged NATO allies to intensify arms supplies to support Kyiv’s efforts to defend against Russian missile strikes and drone attacks.
In an interview with Euronews, Rasmussen emphasized that the ongoing global conflict demands more decisive action from Western countries, as Moscow continues to pursue its imperial ambitions.
Highlighting the Taurus missile, he pointed out that its technological capabilities would enable Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory, significantly complicating the logistics and defensive capacity of the invaders.The Taurus missile, produced in Germany, boasts a range of approximately 500 kilometers—twice as far as the rockets currently in Ukrainian service.
This would allow Ukraine’s armed forces to conduct attacks deep within Russian borders, creating a strategic imbalance that could deter further aggression.
Although German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed willingness to consider transferring the missile back in April, the idea remains unfulfilled, due to fears of escalation and political risks.
The previous government led by Olaf Scholz refrained from such transfers, wary that strikes on Russian territory could escalate the conflict.Rasmussen analyzed the shift in U.S.
policy, especially after Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January.
Trump publicly announced his intention to end the Ukraine war and initiated direct negotiations with Putin.
He noted that the United States has become potentially more unpredictable and has adopted a tougher stance, including sanctions against major Russian oil companies.
These moves, Rasmussen said, indicate that Washington is gradually losing patience with Putin and recognizing the need to exert significantly more pressure to bring him to the negotiating table.Regarding armament supplies to Ukraine, Trump remained cautious, stating that the U.S.
would not sell Kyiv Tomahawk missiles, another high-tech long-range weapon system.
Ukrainian officials and experts see these missiles as vital to changing the course of the war.Overall, current geopolitical developments and Western countries’ decisions regarding military aid will critically influence the conflict’s future.
The debate over providing Ukraine with the most advanced weaponry continues to be a focal point of international attention.