Vladimir Putin has warned that any move by Germany to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine would trigger a direct military confrontation between Russia and the West — raising fears of a wider war. In a stark threat likely to send shockwaves through NATO capitals, the Russian President said such a move would amount to Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, entering the conflict as a combatant.

He said: “What is this, if not the involvement of the Federal Republic in a direct armed conflict with the Russian Federation? It can't be called anything else.”

Putin delivered the warning during a meeting with senior editors in St Petersburg, amid growing speculation about Germany’s future military support for Kyiv. While Berlin has so far ruled out sending Taurus missiles, Mr Putin’s language makes it clear the Kremlin is closely watching — and preparing to respond.

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