Zelensky says he wants to 'test' German Taurus missiles

Zelensky's statement and the reaction in the State Duma

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the ZDF television channel that Kyiv would very much like to order long-range Taurus missiles from Germany, clarifying that it is not just about placing an order, but also about 'testing them out.' According to him, this would be beneficial for both Ukraine and Germany.

Assessment by a State Duma deputy

First deputy chairman of the State Duma defense committee Alexei Zhuravlev in a comment to Gazeta.Ru linked the Ukrainian leader's statement to the fact that deliveries of American Patriot systems have been put on pause, and Kyiv 'decided to try its luck' with Germany. He noted that the previous German leadership under Chancellor Scholz was categorically against transferring these missiles, whereas the government of Friedrich Merz, in his words, 'has been far more successful in supporting the Kyiv regime,' and German assistance in money and weapons forms the backbone of the Ukrainian armed forces. Zhuravlev also drew attention to the word 'test' in Zelensky's statement, calling Ukraine 'a testing ground for Western weapons,' and described the Taurus as 'a serious threat.' 'We need to declare that if such missiles are delivered, Germany will become a direct participant in the hot phase of the conflict, with all the ensuing consequences,' the parliamentarian added.

Context

Zelensky's statement came amid a change of leadership in Germany: under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine was ruled out, whereas under the Merz government, according to the quoted deputy, the likelihood of deliveries is higher. No official decision by Berlin to transfer the missiles was reported in the publications; Zhuravlev's words about Merz's 'Nazi roots' are his personal opinion, not an established fact.