Germany Commits to Supporting Ukraine's Long-Range Weapons Development
Chancellor Merz announces plans for Ukrainian missile production as Germany remains silent on Taurus missile deliveries.
Germany has pledged to assist Ukraine in developing its own long-range weapons, as announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin.
The new weapons produced under this collaboration will have no range restrictions, allowing Ukrainian forces to target military locations within Russia, according to Merz.
He highlighted that these missiles would be manufactured with support from German industry and could be produced in both Ukraine and Germany.
The German defense ministry indicated that the initial missile systems could be deployed in Ukraine within weeks, with plans already in place for the production of a substantial number of units within this year.
This announcement follows considerable speculation regarding the German government's potential approval for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, a move that has been highly sought after by Kyiv.
The Taurus missile system, co-developed by Germany and Sweden, has a reported range of up to 500 kilometers.
This capability would significantly exceed that of other long-range missiles currently supplied to Ukraine by allies such as France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which have ranges between 250 and 300 kilometers.
Despite the announcement regarding support for Ukraine's own missile production, Chancellor Merz refrained from commenting on the status of Taurus missile deliveries.
Under Merz's leadership, the government has maintained a policy of confidentiality concerning the details of potential Taurus shipments.
Previously, Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, had been criticized for denying the request for Taurus missiles, arguing that the missile's range and targeting systems posed a risk of drawing Germany into the ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, during the press conference, Merz underscored the intention behind strengthening Ukraine's missile production capabilities as a means to weaken Russia's military efforts and facilitate a pathway for negotiations.
Discussions are also underway with the United States regarding broader sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, which Merz deemed essential for successful diplomatic efforts.
The context surrounding the announcement highlights the ongoing political tensions and debate within Germany regarding arms support to Ukraine, alongside broader European diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing Russian aggression.
The new weapons produced under this collaboration will have no range restrictions, allowing Ukrainian forces to target military locations within Russia, according to Merz.
He highlighted that these missiles would be manufactured with support from German industry and could be produced in both Ukraine and Germany.
The German defense ministry indicated that the initial missile systems could be deployed in Ukraine within weeks, with plans already in place for the production of a substantial number of units within this year.
This announcement follows considerable speculation regarding the German government's potential approval for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, a move that has been highly sought after by Kyiv.
The Taurus missile system, co-developed by Germany and Sweden, has a reported range of up to 500 kilometers.
This capability would significantly exceed that of other long-range missiles currently supplied to Ukraine by allies such as France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which have ranges between 250 and 300 kilometers.
Despite the announcement regarding support for Ukraine's own missile production, Chancellor Merz refrained from commenting on the status of Taurus missile deliveries.
Under Merz's leadership, the government has maintained a policy of confidentiality concerning the details of potential Taurus shipments.
Previously, Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, had been criticized for denying the request for Taurus missiles, arguing that the missile's range and targeting systems posed a risk of drawing Germany into the ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, during the press conference, Merz underscored the intention behind strengthening Ukraine's missile production capabilities as a means to weaken Russia's military efforts and facilitate a pathway for negotiations.
Discussions are also underway with the United States regarding broader sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, which Merz deemed essential for successful diplomatic efforts.
The context surrounding the announcement highlights the ongoing political tensions and debate within Germany regarding arms support to Ukraine, alongside broader European diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing Russian aggression.
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