A prominent German lawmaker says Berlin still has a practical option to act now, even as debate over the missiles continues.
Germany should respond more firmly to hybrid threats from Russia, increase sanctions pressure, and begin training Ukrainian troops to use Taurus cruise missiles. This position was expressed by Roderich Kiesewetter, a CDU member of the Bundestag and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
In his view, Berlin could take a number of diplomatic and economic measures against Russia, while also laying the groundwork for the future transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This includes countering Russia’s shadow fleet and expanding sanctions.
We should have closed the “Russian House” long ago, summoned the ambassador if there is evidence, and perhaps even expelled the country’s ambassador. This needs to be considered. Beyond that, it is quite clear: the shadow fleet must be stopped, sanctions must be strengthened, and Taurus training must begin. Then the federal chancellor will have the means to decide when he wants to deliver Taurus missiles.
– Roderich Kiesewetter
Kiesewetter calls for Taurus training to begin
Roderich Kiesewetter stressed that Germany should have begun taking such steps several years ago. According to him, the federal chancellor had previously promised to make the relevant decisions, but this has still not happened.
The Bundestag member is convinced that Taurus missiles could expand Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian military targets. Among the potential targets, he named bunker facilities, underground production sites, and command posts.
We could also allow countries willing to supply Taurus missiles to do so. But at the very least, we should have started the training.
– Roderich Kiesewetter
Position on transferring missiles to Ukraine
Kiesewetter also believes that Germany could have increased Taurus missile production in advance. He noted that after Friedrich Merz came to power, he did not make a decision to transfer these missiles to Ukraine, although he had supported such a move while in opposition.
In July 2026, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Taurus missiles allegedly no longer had the same critical importance for Ukraine as they once did. He linked this to the fact that Ukraine’s Armed Forces are actively using their own long-range strike capabilities and drones. At the same time, Roderich Kiesewetter insists that training Ukrainian troops to use Taurus should have started much earlier, so that Germany could promptly decide on possible deliveries.