Scholz emphasized that Ukraine could use German weaponry to launch strikes inside Russia. "Ukraine can also use the weapons provided by us and our allies — always in accordance with international legal obligations," he said.
Before any decisions are made about transferring Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Germany must consult with its allies, Scholz added. "We will act prudently. We carefully weigh all the risks. I support this as a chancellor committed to peace and the security of Germany," he explained.
Read also: Scholz: only German military should choose targets for Taurus missiles
Ukraine has requested long-range weaponry from its partners to target deep within Russian-occupied territory. Several countries, including the United Kingdom with Storm Shadow missiles and France with Scalp missiles, have already taken such steps. Germany, which possesses about 600 Taurus cruise missiles, has so far hesitated.
In September 2023, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Berlin had not denied Ukraine the Taurus missiles but was not ready to proceed at that time.
Media reports suggest Scholz's reluctance may stem from concerns that Kyiv might attack Russian territory. The German Chancellor has also publicly expressed fears that supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles could lead to escalation.
Ukraine has repeatedly assured that it will not use Western long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.
The German parliament has twice failed to support calls for Scholz to transfer the Taurus missiles to Ukraine. On January 17, only 178 out of 666 deputies voted in favor of such a decision. On February 22, the Bundestag voted for supplying Ukraine with "long-range weapons," but did not specifically mention the Taurus missiles.
On February 5, the head of the special Ukraine task force at the German Ministry of Defense, Christian Freuding, stated that long-range Taurus missiles would not decisively alter the war in favor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
On March 29, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock commented on the issue of supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, stating that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not afraid of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Read also: Scholz adamant on non-transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Дем'ян Шевко
