As the war in Ukraine drags on, a new controversy has erupted—not on the battlefield, but in international politics.
Germany is at the center of a growing firestorm after recent remarks from Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the Kremlin isn’t staying silent about it.
Germany’s Stance on Weapon Ranges Rattles Moscow
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made headlines when he said that Germany—and its Western allies—are no longer limiting the range of weapons they supply to Ukraine.
According to Merz, countries like the U.S., France, and the UK have already lifted such restrictions, and Germany is now on the same page.
But that announcement didn’t go over well in Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov didn’t hold back, calling Merz’s position a direct provocation.
“This is nothing but a further provocation of war,” Peskov declared, accusing the move of prolonging the conflict and stalling any hopes for peace.
Mixed Signals Within Germany
While Merz’s comments grabbed international attention, they were quickly followed by a more cautious message from within his own government.
German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil attempted to cool things down, stating that Germany’s official stance on long-range missiles hadn’t changed.
And it’s not just Berlin walking back the message. Over in Washington, the U.S. State Department also avoided confirming any shift in policy.
So while Merz spoke boldly, the political waters remain murky.
Germany Holds the Key—but Hasn’t Used It
Interestingly, Germany is the only country mentioned by Merz that hasn’t actually delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine.
But it does have them. Specifically, Germany possesses the Taurus KEPD-350—highly advanced, air-launched cruise missiles co-developed with Sweden.
These weapons are capable of striking targets at long distances with extreme precision.
However, their use in Ukraine has been a red line for Germany—at least until now.
Russia’s Fiery Response: “Expect Berlin to Be Targeted”
Russia’s backlash wasn’t just verbal. Margarita Simonyan, a high-profile figure in Russian media and Editor-in-Chief of RT, suggested that if a Taurus missile were used to strike Moscow, then Berlin could become a military target in response.
She took things even further, implying that such an attack wouldn’t just involve Ukraine.
According to Simonyan, Ukrainian troops aren’t trained to handle these advanced weapons—so if Taurus missiles are used, it would likely mean German military involvement.
In her view, that puts Berlin directly in the firing line.
What Is the Taurus Missile?
The Taurus KEPD-350 isn’t just another missile. It’s a product of a joint German-Swedish venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab Bofors Dynamics.
Designed for precise, deep-penetration strikes, it’s already in service in Germany, Spain, and South Korea.
Back in the Cold War era, Germany initially looked into purchasing French Apache missiles, but that plan fizzled out.
So, in 1998, they launched their own program—culminating in the creation of the Taurus.
The name stands for “Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System,” emphasizing its sophisticated targeting capabilities.
What Happens Now?
As international tensions rise, the world watches closely.
Will Germany move from rhetoric to action and supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine? Will Russia follow through on its threats? Or will diplomatic efforts defuse this latest escalation?
For now, the issue remains unsettled—but one thing is clear: with every new policy shift and public statement, the line between support and direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict gets a little blurrier.