Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Germany, stating that the country would be directly involved in the war in Ukraine if it proceeds with supplying Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. His remarks come as tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Western allies amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
According to Putin, the operation of Taurus missiles would necessitate the presence of German military officers on the ground. “It is impossible to use Taurus missiles without German officers. Only German officers can operate Taurus,” he emphasized. The Russian president added, “What does it mean? It means that Bundeswehr officers will strike on Russian territory with German weapons. And what is this if not involving the Federal Republic [of Germany] into direct military conflict with the Russian Federation?”
Putin also addressed Germany’s potential role as a mediator in peace talks. He expressed skepticism over whether Germany, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, could serve as a neutral intermediary in negotiations with Ukraine. Nevertheless, he indicated his openness to dialogue, stating that he would be willing to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — but only in the final stages of a peace settlement. “I am even ready to meet with him, but only if it is some kind of final phase — so as not to endlessly sit and divide something, but to put a point to it,” Putin said. However, he raised doubts over Zelensky’s legitimacy, stressing that any agreement must be signed by “legitimate authorities.”
On the NATO front, Putin downplayed the alliance’s recent moves to increase defense spending and military preparedness across Europe. With NATO preparing to endorse a plan to strengthen its military posture, the Russian leader insisted that such steps do not pose a threat to Russia. “We do not consider any rearmament by NATO to be a threat to the Russian Federation because we are self-sufficient in terms of ensuring our own security,” he said. Putin added that Russia is continuously enhancing its armed forces and defense capabilities.
In parallel with these developments, Russia has intensified its aerial assaults on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that recent Russian strikes on Kyiv have killed at least 28 civilians. These attacks have caused widespread destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure. Yet, despite mounting evidence of civilian casualties and the devastation of non-military sites, President Putin maintained that Russian forces are not targeting civilian areas.
The statements from the Kremlin come at a critical juncture, with peace efforts stalled and hostilities on the rise. As the international community weighs the implications of further military support to Ukraine, Putin’s warnings signal that any deeper involvement by NATO members — particularly Germany — may provoke direct confrontation with Russia.
Disclaimer:This article is based on statements from official sources and ongoing geopolitical developments. The views expressed by political leaders do not reflect the opinions of this blog and are shared here for informational purposes only.
