Ukraine war latest: One word on lips in Berlin as Zelenskyy meets Merz for talks; Lavrov hints at peace talks progress | World News

By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondent

“Taurus” – that’s the word on the lips of journalists in Berlin today.

The Ukrainian president is meeting the German chancellor amid swirling speculation about whether Germany will supply the long-range missiles.

On Monday, Friedrich Merz announced for the first time that Germany was lifting range restrictions on the weapons supplied to Ukraine, along with main allies.

It led many to wonder if today’s visit would include confirmation that Ukraine would finally get Taurus after repeated requests.

But by yesterday, the chancellor had updated his message saying: “I described something yesterday in Berlin that has already been the case for months: that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives beyond its own borders against military targets on Russian territory.”

The confusing statement sparked outrage from both Russia and colleagues at home.

Former chancellor Scholz and his SPD party members had always refused to supply Taurus over concerns about provoking nuclear armed Moscow.  

In response to this week’s speculation, vice-chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democrats claimed there was “no new agreement that goes beyond what the previous government did” on range restrictions.

And a senior member of Merz’s own Christian Democrat party, Roderich Kiesewetter wrote on X: “There is no sign of Germany finally delivering Taurus cruise missiles, because I still see no unity in the coalition and no political will to respond appropriately and with strength and consistency to Russia’s massive escalation.”

During his time as opposition leader and in his recent election campaign, Merz had repeatedly called for Taurus to be sent but it seems his coalition partners have slowed him down. 

In a few hours we will know but the mood music suggests that while Germany will continue to underline its support for Ukraine, it won’t be delivering Taurus any time soon.