Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Scholz took more than a year to invite Zelensky to Germany. The upcoming meeting will be Zelensky's third encounter with Merz since he took office on May 6. A significant part of their discussions will revolve around military aid, particularly the Taurus cruise missile, which has been a priority for Zelensky. The Taurus, developed by Germany and Sweden, features advanced navigation and has a range of 310 miles, enabling it to conduct deep strikes into Russian territory.

Zelensky is eager for the Taurus, as it could enhance Ukraine's capability to target critical infrastructure, such as bridges linking the Crimean Peninsula to Russia’s mainland. Currently, Ukraine has access to the SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missile, supplied by Britain and France. The outcome of this meeting may impact future military support and strategic decisions between Germany and Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.