German authorities are exploring ways to transfer Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine in the coming months.
Secret negotiations are being held with representatives of the defense industry.
The German publication reports this.
What is discussed during negotiations
According to Der Spiegel, the head of the German government, Olaf Scholz, wants to eliminate the possibility of Ukraine striking Russia with long-range weapons by modifying Taurus missiles.
It is noted that Scholz remains concerned about the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict.
According to the publication, the German Ministry of Defense has asked the Taurus missile manufacturer to include an appropriate restriction on target programming.
Experts say that such a system restriction is possible, but it will take several weeks.
As Der Spiegel explains, the German Chancellor will approve the transfer of Taurus to Ukraine only after they are modified, but no longer has any fundamental doubts about the supply of long-range missiles.
It is noted that secret negotiations with representatives of the defense industry mark a turn in Berlin’s position on the supply of long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Until now, Scholz and the head of the German Defense Ministry, Boris Pistorius, have always emphasized that Berlin’s role is to supply air defense systems and tanks.
On the sidelines it was constantly stated that Germany would not supply cruise missiles to Ukraine until the United States supplied OPEN ATACMS. However, now this condition does not play a big role, the publication summarizes.
The day before, the German portal t-online, citing sources in the ruling coalition in Germany, reported that Berlin would soon announce the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine and that Scholz’s department was working on this issue with the United States and other allies.
According to the portal, the Chancellor’s Office requested important information from the Ministry of Defense about Taurus, their stocks in the Armed Forces, possible supply risks and effectiveness.
The portal also reported that the delivery of missiles was approved by the command of the Air Force.
Until now, German authorities have rejected the possibility of transferring Taurus, whose range reaches 500 kilometers, to Ukraine.
Ukraine requested these missiles from Germany at the end of May. According to German media reports, the issue of transferring the Taurus was discussed at a meeting between Scholz and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Berlin on May 14.
10 years ago, about 600 Taurus missiles were purchased for the Bundeswehr. These German-Swedish-made missiles are an analogue of the British Storm Shadow, which have already been transferred to Ukraine. However, the Taurus has a slightly longer range.
