The Polish foreign minister has lent his support for Ukraine to have Taurus cruise missiles and accused Germany of hesitancy in delivering the new weapon systems to the war zone.

Radoslaw Sikorski said the provision of Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500km, would have a “material effect on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”

“With the British and American missiles, the Ukrainians were able to force the Russians to move their logistical centres, their ammunition dumps, control centres and their transport links further away from the front. And the German missiles would force them to go even further,” he said.

Mr Sikorski criticised the long decision-making processes in the German government.

Berlin had “historical reasons to be nervous about sending military material or troops.”

“We understand that, but we would just hope that your discussions are quicker. The Russians seem to be on the offensive. Ukraine is short of ammunition,” he said.

Referring to the Taurus missiles, he said this dynamic situation meant that “in six months’ time, it is not the same decision.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly rejected delivering the high-precision weapons to Kyiv, citing the risk of Germany being drawn into the war.

The UK and France are already supplying cruise missiles to Ukraine. 

(dpa/NAN)