Germany's Scholz explains why he is reluctant to provide Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles.
Germany is increasing its military assistance to Ukraine this year, making it the second-largest donor after the US. However, Scholz has been holding up Ukraine's request for Taurus missiles for months. These missiles have a maximum range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) and could theoretically be used to strike targets that are located far within Russian territory.
The German Chancellor has consistently stated that no German soldiers will be sent to Ukraine and that he is committed to supporting Ukraine without intensifying the conflict and involving Germany and NATO.
He hasn't said with certainty that they won't be delivered, but at an editorial conference of German news agency dpa, he provided the most lucid explanation of his reluctance to date, which has irritated both the conservative opposition in Germany and certain members of his own three-party coalition.
Long ago, it was announced that Britain and France were deploying long-range missiles to Ukraine, named Storm Shadow and Scalp, respectively.
The Taurus is "a very far-reaching weapon," according to Scholz, who also stated on Monday that Germany is unable to replicate the British and French approaches to target control and supporting target management. That is evident to everyone who has worked with this system.
Scholz responded, "German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this (Taurus) system reaches," and he added, "not in Germany either," when asked if he was concerned that his troops would have to travel to Ukraine in order to manage what the missiles target.
According to him, there are valid reasons why the missiles are not the next course of action. "It is imperative to have this clarity. It surprises me that some individuals are unmoved by this and don't even consider the possibility that our actions could essentially amount to war participation.
The Taurus is "a very far-reaching weapon," according to Scholz, who also stated on Monday that Germany is unable to replicate the British and French approaches to target control and supporting target management. That is evident to everyone who has worked with this system.
Scholz responded, "German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this (Taurus) system reaches," and he added, "not in Germany either," when asked if he was concerned that his troops would have to travel to Ukraine in order to manage what the missiles target.
According to him, there are valid reasons why the missiles are not the next course of action. "It is imperative to have this clarity. It surprises me that some individuals are unmoved by this and don't even consider the possibility that our actions could essentially amount to war participation.
According to Scholz, the German discussion on Taurus missiles has obscured what Ukraine urgently needs. "Ammunition at all possible distances is what Ukraine is missing, but not decisively this thing from Germany," he stated.
German legislators last week urged the government to deploy more long-range weapons to Ukraine, but they rejected a proposal from the opposition to specifically supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles.
According to a motion drafted by the ruling parties, in order to enable attacks on "strategically important targets far in the rear of the Russian aggressor," the government must continue providing military support. "This includes the delivery of further necessary long-range weapons systems and ammunition."
Because of that vague wording, politicians in the government were able to support the deployment of Taurus missiles or not.
German legislators last week urged the government to deploy more long-range weapons to Ukraine, but they rejected a proposal from the opposition to specifically supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles.
According to a motion drafted by the ruling parties, in order to enable attacks on "strategically important targets far in the rear of the Russian aggressor," the government must continue providing military support. "This includes the delivery of further necessary long-range weapons systems and ammunition."
Because of that vague wording, politicians in the government were able to support the deployment of Taurus missiles or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment