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.

Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles have a range of over 300 miles and would give Ukrainian forces a significant deep-strike capability, including the potential to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Mr Putin said Ukraine would not be able to use the missiles effectively without extensive Western help, including satellite targeting data and technical support. He claimed this would require the involvement of German military personnel, thus crossing what he described as a red line.

He said: “To fire these missiles, Ukraine would need Western satellite intelligence and German officers to take care of targeting. If they were fired at Russia, that would mean German officers striking Russian territory.”

The Russian President said even if Taurus missiles were eventually delivered, they would make no difference to the outcome of the war.

He claimed his forces were making gains on multiple fronts, adding that Russia was in control of the overall direction of the conflict.

His remarks appear designed both to deter Berlin from changing its position and to send a broader signal to NATO members weighing up further arms packages for Ukraine.

Despite the threat, Mr Putin said he remained open to direct talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

He said: “If the Federal Chancellor wants to call and talk, I have already said this many times — we do not refuse any contacts. And we are always open to this.”

However, he ruled out viewing Germany as a neutral actor in the conflict. He said: “We consider the Federal Republic, just like many other European countries, not a neutral state, but as a party supporting Ukraine, and in some cases, perhaps, as accomplices in these hostilities.”

Mr Putin’s comments mark one of his clearest threats to date of a direct clash between Russia and a NATO member — and highlight the Kremlin’s growing alarm over long-range weapons transfers.

While Chancellor Merz has not commented publicly, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said there are “no plans” to send Taurus missiles, despite repeated requests from Kyiv.