Quote from Alex bobby on April 29, 2025, 4:12 AM

Taurus Missiles, Disinformation, and Germany’s Shifting Ukraine Policy

As Germany stands on the cusp of a significant shift in leadership, Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has signalled a potential policy change that could reshape the dynamics of Western support for Ukraine. Merz’s openness to transferring long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv marks a stark departure from outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s caution. Yet, amid this transition, unverified claims have erupted across social media, alleging that the U.S. — specifically the Trump administration — is blocking the delivery of these missiles due to their inclusion of American-made components.

These claims, spread widely on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Telegram, allege that two U.S. companies communicated through the State Department to halt the transfer of Taurus KEPD-350 missiles from Germany to Ukraine. Posts from known disinformation sources have fuelled speculation that the Trump team is using this as leverage to restrict Kyiv’s access to advanced weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory.

However, Euroverify — a watchdog organisation specialising in fact-checking and disinformation — investigated the reports and found no evidence supporting the claim that the U.S. has intervened in the missile transfer decision. Their investigation traced the origin of the story to a pro-Kremlin outlet notorious for spreading anti-Western narratives. Furthermore, other accounts amplifying the story on X were identified as part of a network previously flagged for spreading disinformation during the Ukraine war.

While it’s true that Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, has publicly expressed opposition to Ukraine striking targets deep inside Russia, there is no indication his administration — which is not currently in office — has any direct role in blocking Germany’s missile policy. The U.S. government under President Joe Biden continues to provide long-range weapons to Ukraine, including the ATACMS missile system. These deliveries suggest that Washington’s policy remains focused on bolstering Kyiv’s defence capabilities, not restraining its European allies.

At the heart of the current debate is the Taurus KEPD-350, a precision-guided cruise missile developed by Germany’s Taurus Systems GmbH — a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Sweden’s Saab. With a range of up to 500 kilometres, it far outstrips the capabilities of the Storm Shadow (provided by the UK and France) and the U.S.-supplied ATACMS in terms of stealth and reach. The missile’s ability to fly at very low altitudes makes it nearly undetectable by radar, and its payload can cripple strategic targets such as bridges, bunkers, and supply hubs deep inside Russian-held territory.

For months, Chancellor Olaf Scholz resisted mounting pressure — both domestic and international — to send the missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalating the conflict and dragging Germany into direct confrontation with Russia. Scholz was adamant, declaring in March 2023 that transferring Taurus missiles would cross "a line that I do not want to cross."

However, the political landscape in Berlin is shifting. Friedrich Merz, head of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is poised to become the new chancellor following the upcoming elections. In public statements, Merz has indicated he would be open to supplying the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, arguing that Kyiv needs stronger support to deter and push back against Russia’s ongoing aggression.

His position has sparked backlash from Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently warned that any Taurus missile strike on Russian infrastructure would be considered a direct act of German aggression. She claimed it would lead to "serious consequences" and mark a dangerous escalation in the conflict.

Within Germany, however, Merz’s proposal still faces domestic resistance. His future coalition partners, especially the Social Democrats under Scholz, remain wary of provoking Russia and expanding the scope of German involvement in the war. This intra-government tension could slow or even stall any decision to deliver the missiles — regardless of Merz’s personal stance.

In the meantime, Euroverify reached out to the German Federal Ministry of Defence for clarification on the allegations regarding U.S. interference. A spokesperson replied: "We do not comment on speculation." They further emphasised that Germany does not disclose details about internal discussions with international partners.

For now, the situation remains fluid. While Merz’s leadership may open the door to a policy change on Taurus missiles, no final decision has been made. And despite the viral spread of social media claims, there is no verified evidence — either from Berlin or Washington — that the Trump administration is blocking or attempting to block the missile transfer.

As with many aspects of the war in Ukraine, misinformation continues to be a weapon in itself. This latest episode underscores the need for critical scrutiny of viral narratives, especially when they come from unverified or politically motivated sources.

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Conclusion

The debate over Germany’s potential transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine is not just a matter of military logistics — it reflects the broader geopolitical struggle over support for Kyiv and the tactics used to sway public opinion. While Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz appears open to a new course, the decision is far from finalised, with key coalition partners still opposed. Meanwhile, claims that the Trump administration is blocking the move are unfounded and originate from known disinformation sources. As the fog of war continues to extend into the digital space, it’s more critical than ever to separate fact from fiction — especially when false narratives threaten to undermine international support for Ukraine at a pivotal moment in the conflict.