Zelensky: "Never Give Up" — He Urges Germany to Supply Taurus Cruise Missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he still hopes Germany will provide Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, despite earlier refusals. The comments came after talks in Kyiv with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"Of course. Never give up."

The German-made Taurus is a long-range precision cruise missile with an advertised range of up to 500 kilometres and a reputation for penetrating fortified or hardened targets. Kyiv formally requested the system from Berlin in May 2023.

Zelensky noted that continued diplomatic pressure and coordination with partners are essential. He said that providing the weapons Ukraine needs is a mark of genuine partnership among democracies supporting Kyiv.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined Ukraine's request, citing concerns that supplying long-range missiles could escalate the conflict. In contrast, Friedrich Merz signalled during the 2025 election campaign that he would be open to supplying Taurus missiles if any transfer were coordinated with European partners.

Separately, Merz pledged the release of €1 billion (about $1.13 billion) to procure interceptor drones and longer-range weapons for Ukraine, but that announced package explicitly excludes Taurus missiles.

What This Means: Zelensky's remarks reaffirm Kyiv's continued push for advanced long-range strike capabilities. Whether Germany will change course depends on broader coordination among European allies and Berlin's assessment of escalation risks.