Incoming German chancellor states he has always supported sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine if allies agree – DW

Designated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that he has always been ready to support the transfer of TAURUS missiles to Ukraine if the decision is coordinated with European partners.

Source: DW, a German international broadcaster and media outlet 

Quote: "I have always said that I would do it [agree to supply TAURUS missiles to Ukraine], but only in coordination with European partners."

Details: Merz expressed his support for supplying Ukraine with German-Swedish long-range TAURUS cruise missiles, on the condition that the decision is agreed with European partners.

He noted that some countries are already supplying Ukraine with cruise missiles.

"The British are doing it, the French are doing it and the Americans are also doing it anyway," Merz said on the Caren Miosga programme on ARD TV channel.

He stresses that Germany must take part in such supplies if the relevant agreement is reached.

In his opinion, the Ukrainian army must move from exclusively defensive actions to more active ones.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine have only been reacting for three years. It is time for them to start influencing the course of events," Merz stated.

As an example of the potential use of TAURUS missiles, he mentioned the destruction of land routes between Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea, which are important for the Russian army’s logistics.

Background:

• Several German media outlets received information from party sources that Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, may officially be announced as the new German chancellor on 6 May.
• Merz stated that Ukraine would be able to become a member of the EU or NATO only after the war is over.

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