Putin Stands Firm: German Missiles Could Sever Ties to Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a direct and stern warning to Germany: Supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine will cause irreversible damage to relations between Berlin and Moscow.

Yet despite this grave proclamation, Putin maintains that Russia’s military advance in Ukraine will proceed unwaveringly.

During a meeting organized by the Russian news agency TASS, Putin made it clear that Germany faces a crucial decision that could potentially have dramatic consequences. “Further movement [of Russian armed forces] is inevitable, even if Taurus missiles are used. In other words, you [Germany] will destroy your relationship with Russia, but it will not change the outcome on the battlefield,” Putin emphasized, according to Portalobronny.

The Russian president further noted that if the missiles were launched against Russian territory, this would require both Western satellite intelligence and the involvement of German officers on the battlefield.

This, according to Putin, would amount to direct German participation in an armed conflict with Russia.

A Pointless Provocation?

Putin described the delivery of Taurus missiles as “pointless,” especially in light of the limited capacity of the Ukrainian armed forces, which he estimates only have 47% of their needed personnel.

He therefore urged Germany to carefully consider whether the delivery is truly worth risking its existing diplomatic relationship with Russia.

Germany’s Hesitation Raises Concerns

While Germany hesitates on the decision to deliver missiles, other Western countries have already equipped Ukraine with advanced weapon systems.

The U.S. has supplied ATACMS missiles, while the UK and France have contributed Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, however, has prioritized defensive systems like the IRIS-T air defense over offensive Taurus missiles.

The German government has acknowledged Putin’s offer of dialogue but has also expressed skepticism about Russia’s actual willingness for political negotiations. “I do not see the Russian president responding to these often expressed wishes for a political solution,” said government spokesman Stefan Cornelius.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.