On thing to note is that the long-range strike issue is one area where the Merz government handled matters well. I am not a fan of the decision not to supply Taurus in the end, as the political signal would have been important. 1/3
Replies
The development and serial deployment of the Flamingo missile is the direct result of the decision to modernize Ukraine's missile/drone program. We took a circuitous route to get here but Ukraine's long range strike capability is a very real and deadly thing now.
aug 18, 2025, 11:24 pm • 2 0 • view
Merz 1) elegantly bypassed a controversial inner political discussion potentially disrupting the government coalition 2) provided a strike capability with 6 times the range of Taurus 3) preserved the Luftwaffe's arsenal of standoff weapons 4) bypassed the problem of a missing Taurus carrier system.
aug 18, 2025, 6:55 pm • 6 0 • view
As an immediate measure, the 50 Taurus would have been quite useful. If only to make room in the warehouse.
aug 18, 2025, 2:40 pm • 1 0 • view
I do hope the European leaders have had the discussion that starts with “we may have to accept that the US does not align with our support for Ukraine and for European security, we have our own plan….”
aug 18, 2025, 11:36 am • 21 2 • view
From a military perspective, however, Germany’s largescale financing of Ukrainian missile programs, now coming to light gradually, will have a far greater impact than supplying 50–100 Taurus. The reactions I have heard from the Russian side also suggest consternation and surprise on their end. 2/3
aug 18, 2025, 11:21 am • 207 24 • view
True and thank you for elaborating. 👍
aug 18, 2025, 11:45 am • 1 0 • view
They did not expect this level of German commitment to Ukraine’s missile industry. If the Russians were surprised and caught off guard, that is probably a good sign, and suggests the funding had an important political effect as well. 3/3
aug 18, 2025, 11:21 am • 219 14 • view
Germany didn’t learn about Fascism from a college textbook.
aug 18, 2025, 4:27 pm • 0 0 • view
Any thoughts on how they might want to use them on non military targets? An empty Putin ‘dacha’ for example?
aug 18, 2025, 11:24 am • 11 0 • view
👍 En... waarom niet bijvoorbeeld EEN VOLLE datsja met Poetin erin?🤔
aug 21, 2025, 4:39 pm • 0 0 • view
It might still be appropriate signaling after the DC meetings today for Merz to openly give Taurus? Meaning that this might be a better opportunity for the signaling impact given what’s likely to happen to US support soon.
aug 18, 2025, 12:43 pm • 1 0 • view
im arguing for years that there might be a reason for not delivering the taurus other than "Scholz is a russian asset". supporting long range drones has quite some Advantages over Taurus: -Numbers -Range -no plane needed.
aug 18, 2025, 11:53 am • 2 0 • view
I have read speculation that it is the US preventing it as the missile reportedly uses some US technology that would have to be approved for transfer to Ukraine.
aug 20, 2025, 8:30 pm • 0 0 • view
After two ass whippings last century, Germany is NOT a nation Russia wants to tangle with when they can’t even “blitzkrieg” Ukraine
aug 18, 2025, 1:26 pm • 9 0 • view
Sadly German military is a joke right now. But German money flooding Ukrainian Defense Industry is very welcome.
aug 21, 2025, 10:39 am • 0 0 • view
German military was a joke in 1935… 4 years later it blitzkrieged Europe
aug 21, 2025, 3:21 pm • 0 0 • view
Om nog maar te zwijgen van de Duitse technologische kennis op alle gebied. Ook in oorlogsproductie. Vergeet niet dat ze straaljagers maken, meewerken aan Ariane raketprogramma's, dan moet maken van cruise-missie-raket achtige dingen toch kinderspel zijn. Als je de "Taurus" kunt maken...🤔
aug 21, 2025, 4:47 pm • 0 0 • view
(Leon Black in MOSCOW under protection?) "Jeffrey #Epstein, Leon #Black, and #Russia" Epstein ties to intelligence services. Black’s ties to Russia, Donald #Trump & Russian money. In 2011, Black meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin #ApolloGlobal. sethhettena.com/2021/01/26/j...
aug 18, 2025, 4:14 pm • 0 0 • view
Agreed, even though 50-100 Taurus could have done sth very valuable for Ukraine. Only thing I totally cannot believe is that there will be any difference in Ruzzia‘s reaction towards Germany if Flamingos, as the result of a joint Ukraine-Germany weapons program, will hit Ruzzia instead of Taurus!
aug 18, 2025, 11:35 am • 9 1 • view
Imo most likely in both cases is that 🇷🇺 would simply downplay the significance and effectively not directly react. There may be more asymmetric sabotage actions. Who knows? Those are unacceptably frequent already anyway.
aug 18, 2025, 11:53 am • 8 1 • view
I expect differently. Germany is historically in a special role. UK and France could pretty much do everything they want, but German (even if only partly) weapon hits on Ruzzia will have a different feeling for Ruzzians. Expect a barrage of propaganda and nation-wide outrage. Anyway, I‘m all for it!
aug 18, 2025, 12:00 pm • 6 1 • view
Or, did you mean a difference in reaction within German society? I can see that ;-)
aug 18, 2025, 12:26 pm • 1 0 • view
Russia always cries a river, and generally barks a lot. Germany went from helmets to Leopards without real consequence. Its just that Germany is more senstive to Russian threats and Russia knows it. The whole Taurus debacle was imo an absolute breakdown in German deterance vs Russia.
aug 18, 2025, 12:18 pm • 10 0 • view
„Germany more sensitive“…for sure! A lot of Putin-lovers here. Regarding the step from helmets to Leopard tanks: they are on the battle fields in Ukraine and ordinary non-military Ruzzians don‘t care about them. But Flamingos will hit targets inside Ruzzia! That‘s a different ball-game…
aug 18, 2025, 12:52 pm • 7 0 • view
Yes, I disagree here, I don't think Russia is in a position to seriously escalate in the European direction. Perhaps he will send an Orange lapdog. I think we will learn when the missiles hit. Thanks for the exchange of views^
aug 18, 2025, 12:58 pm • 6 0 • view
Not only funding, you can bet that their new missiles are packed with sensitive Western weapon technologies.
aug 18, 2025, 11:28 am • 8 0 • view
Not western, but specifically European. Some of the punch will come from Europe, which is good.
aug 18, 2025, 12:48 pm • 15 0 • view