CDU urges SPD to back Taurus missiles for Ukraine after Russian attack on Sumy

According to Tagesschau, Wadephul said that Friedrich Merz (CDU), a likely future chancellor, has confirmed his readiness to "use the Taurus missiles as leverage to change Russia's policy." Wadephul called this "an important signal."

"The SPD (Social Democratic Party) also understands — especially after the renewed Russian war crimes in Sumy — that Putin must be dealt with differently," he added, referring to Sunday’s missile strike on the city of Sumy, which killed more than 30 people.

Wadephul noted that this view was also part of the "shared understanding and spirit" within the working group on foreign and security policy during coalition negotiations.

Current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD remains firmly opposed to supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, arguing that doing so could drag Germany into the war. However, not everyone in the SPD shares his stance.

• On April 11, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced at a meeting in the Ramstein format the delivery of 4 IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine, along with 300 missiles for them and 30 missiles for Patriot systems.