Germany's Chancellor-in-Waiting Merz Announces Support for Long-range Missiles as Fresh Military Aid Package Unveiled
Germany's potential new chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled a dramatic shift in the country's military support for Ukraine, expressing willingness to supply advanced Taurus long-range missiles while Acting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a comprehensive new aid package. This significant policy change comes amid continued Russian aggression and heated debate over escalation risks in the ongoing conflict.
New Military Aid Package Announced
Acting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled a substantial new military aid package for Ukraine on April 11, 2025, during a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group in Brussels. The comprehensive package includes "more guided missiles and ground surveillance radars to be delivered this year," along with "100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 300 reconnaissance drones, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 120 Manpads ground-based air defense systems, and 14 artillery systems," DW1 reports.
Pistorius also noted that 30 additional Patriot guided missiles had been delivered to Ukraine in recent days, underscoring Germany's ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities. The announcement comes as Russian forces continue aggressive military operations against Ukraine with no indication of decreased hostilities.
Merz Signals Major Policy Shift on Taurus Missiles
In a significant development that could reshape the dynamics of Western military support, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles, if delivered to Ukraine, could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea, including the critical Kerch Bridge.
"If the most important land connection between Russia and Crimea were destroyed, or if something significant happened on Crimea itself, it could be 'an opportunity to bring this country strategically back into the picture finally,'" Merz stated, according to The Kyiv Independent2.
Merz has previously voiced support for supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, stressing that such a step must be coordinated with European allies. "Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles," he reiterated, adding, "If it is coordinated, then Germany should participate in it."
Kremlin Warns of Escalation
The Kremlin quickly condemned Merz's statements, warning that delivering Taurus missiles to Ukraine would risk escalating the three-year conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Merz's position, stating, "He is agitating on the side of toughening his position and in favor of various steps that can -- and will -- inevitably lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine situation," Kyiv Post3 reported.
Peskov further criticized European capitals, claiming they are "not inclined to look for ways of reaching peace talks" but are "rather inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war."
Strategic Significance of Taurus Missiles
The Taurus KEPD 350 is a formidable weapon system jointly developed by Germany and Sweden with an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers. Weighing 1,400 kg and measuring 5.1 meters in length, the missile is equipped with a sophisticated dual-stage MEPHISTO penetrator warhead weighing 480 kg, specifically designed to target hardened underground bunkers and fortified positions.
The missile's advanced guidance systems include inertial navigation, GPS, image-based navigation, and radar altimetry, enabling terrain-hugging flight paths and precise target acquisition. A high-resolution thermographic camera further enhances its targeting precision Wikipedia4.
Military analysts note that the missile's capabilities would allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-held territory, potentially changing the strategic balance in the conflict.
The Kerch Bridge: A Critical Target
The 19-kilometer-long Kerch Bridge serves as Russia's only physical connection to Crimea and has been a vital conduit for troops, equipment, and supplies to Russia's southern front since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
"Crimea was and remains the basis for lines of communication on the southern strategic flank of Russian aggression," notes Al Jazeera5. The territory allows for "the deployment of significant groups of troops and supplies of materiel resources."
The bridge has already demonstrated vulnerability to Ukrainian attacks, having been damaged by a truck bomb in October 2022 and disabled by surface drones in July 2023. Military experts suggest that targeting this critical infrastructure could severely disrupt Russian logistics and potentially force a strategic reevaluation of their position in Crimea.
A Departure from Scholz's Cautious Approach
Merz's position represents a stark departure from the policy of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who repeatedly blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles due to concerns about escalation and potential German entanglement in the conflict.
Scholz had maintained that Germany "must not be linked in any way or at any place with the targets that this system achieves," DW6 reported. His stance reflected broader concerns about the risk of Germany being drawn directly into the war between Russia and Ukraine.
With Merz poised to take office following his Christian Democrats' election win in February 2025, which garnered 28.5% of the vote, the decision to supply Taurus missiles could soon return to the political agenda. However, it remains uncertain whether his future coalition partners from the Social Democrats will support the move.
International Context and Allied Support
The potential German policy shift comes amid ongoing international efforts to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine. Other Western nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have already supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine, with the UK and France providing Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles with a range of approximately 250 kilometers.
In November 2024, Ukraine received permission to use American-supplied ATACMS missiles against targets inside Russia, marking a significant expansion of Western support. According to U.S. officials, Ukraine fired approximately eight of these missiles, with only two reportedly intercepted by Russian defenses.
Future Implications
Military experts suggest that providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles could significantly enhance its ability to strike high-value targets and disrupt Russian logistics. The missile's exceptional penetration capabilities make it particularly effective against hardened command centers, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure.
General Ben Hodges, former commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, noted that destroying the Kerch Bridge would require "an enormous amount of explosives" and "an operation with several different phases and aspects." Such an operation, if successful, could substantially strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position in any future peace talks.
As Germany prepares for a leadership transition, with Merz expected to be sworn in as chancellor in early May, the international community is closely watching for signs of a more assertive German policy on military support for Ukraine. The potential delivery of Taurus missiles represents not only a significant military capability for Ukraine but also a major shift in Germany's approach to the conflict.
What Next for European Support?
As the war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight, the question remains whether this potential policy shift by Germany will encourage other European nations to expand their military support. With Germany traditionally serving as a bellwether for EU policy, Merz's more assertive stance could signal a broader European willingness to provide Ukraine with more advanced weapons systems.
Will this new approach bring the conflict closer to resolution, or will it lead to further escalation as the Kremlin warns? As Ukrainian forces continue to defend against Russian aggression, the answers to these questions will have profound implications for European security and the future of the international order.
