Markus Faber. Photo: Bundestag
The CDU/CSU conservative bloc, which received the mandate to form the new German government, will face a challenge: it will have to convince its coalition partners, the Social Democrats, of the need to increase military assistance to Ukraine.
This was stated by Markus Faber, Chairman of the Defence Committee of the Bundestag of the 20th convocation, in a commentary to Ukrinform.
“I think it’s time for the new federal government to say that what the Bundeswehr has should be available to Ukraine, so that it initiates the supply of, for example, Taurus missiles,” the politician said.
Conservatives vs. SPD: Is political conflict inevitable?
Faber emphasised that the CDU/CSU, while in opposition, had been in favour of the Taurus transfer to Ukraine. Now that they are forming a government, they will have to prove their consistency and convince the Social Democrats that this step is necessary.
“It is quite difficult, there is a conflict that arises here. This is something that should be laid down in the coalition agreement,” he said.
In his opinion, Germany should follow the example of the UK and France, which have already provided Kyiv with long-range Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles.
Why does Ukraine need Taurus?
Markus Faber has visited Ukraine several times during the full-scale war, talked to the military and emphasises that long-range weapons are critical for destroying the aggressor’s logistics and command posts.
“It’s time to start training the Ukrainian military on these systems and start transferring them,” he stressed.
He also noted that in German society, there is sometimes a misconception that the situation in Ukraine has allegedly stabilised. However, assistance to Kyiv cannot stop while Russian missiles and drones are attacking Ukrainian cities every day.
Faber called on Ukrainians and international partners to put pressure on the new German government to keep its commitments and continue to support Ukraine.
Earlier, the government of Olaf Scholz (SPD) blocked the transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s request since May 2023. After the collapse of the coalition in November 2024 and the CDU/CSU’s victory in the snap elections, Berlin’s policy towards Ukraine may change.
Will Kyiv finally get a Taurus? The answer will depend on the negotiations between the Conservatives and the SPD.
