I cannot understand why we hesitate to supply these weapons, other ammunition - ex German President on Taurus for Ukraine

DW reported the information.

Joachim Gauck believes that inadequate support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia and, in fact, the failure to provide long-range Taurus missiles "not only reduces Ukraine's chances, but also increases the threat to the free world."

"I do not understand military affairs, but I have talked to people who have the necessary military knowledge. And after these conversations, I can no longer understand why we hesitate to supply these weapons and other ammunition," Joachim Gauck said.

The former federal president also noted that there is no international legal prohibition on providing armed assistance to aggression victims. "That is why we are allowed to do it. And we must do it - using everything at our disposal. Without any ifs and buts. Because Russia's victory will jeopardize the security of other European states in the medium term," Gauck emphasized.

What is known about Taurus missiles

The Taurus KEPD 350/150 is a subsonic long-range air-to-surface tactical cruise missile for precision strikes and destruction of highly protected and buried targets without the missile carrier entering the enemy air defense zone. The basic KEPD-350 model has a tandem concrete-piercing warhead weighing 481 kg and an explosive weight of about 50 kg. The weight of the refueled warhead is 1360 kg, and the empty weight is 1080 kg. The maximum flight range is at least 500 km.

In May, it was reported that Ukraine had asked Germany for long-range missiles.

At the end of June, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Germany did not intend to provide Ukraine with these missiles.

In August, MP Chernev cited his own sources as saying that the Bundestag had reached a consensus on the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, the German newspaper Spiegel reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz wanted to make technical modifications to the missiles to prevent Kyiv from striking Russian territory. At the same time, Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany Oleksiy Makeyev spoke out against limiting the range of long-range Taurus missiles.

At the end of August, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a speedy decision on the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine, as every day is important.

On January 2, 2024, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the Bundestag Defense Committee chair and the Free Democratic Party representative, again called for the provision of these missiles to Ukraine.

Background: The Taurus KEPD 350/150 is a subsonic, long-range, air-to-surface tactical cruise missile for precision strikes and engagement of highly protected and buried targets without the missile carrier entering enemy air defense zones. The basic KEPD-350 model has a tandem concrete-piercing warhead weighing 481 kg and an explosive weight of about 50 kg. The weight of the refueled warhead is 1360 kg, and the empty weight is 1080 kg. The maximum flight range is at least 500 km.

• On January 3, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said that his country was still not ready to provide Taurus missiles despite condemning Russia's recent massive attack on Ukraine.