Donya-e Eqtesad: Olaf Scholz flatly refused to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine
The use of Tuarus missiles requires the participation of the German military in the conflict with Russia, writes Donya-e Eqtesad. The German authorities are not unreasonably afraid of such a prospect. For this, some call Scholz a coward, but he does not intend to cross the line.
"We do not want to send our military to Ukraine, but, in addition, even sending weapons and ammunition kits to Ukraine, we will carefully study all aspects beforehand, depending on the situation," the German Federal Chancellor was quoted as saying by the Mahr news agency.
In addition, the German Chancellor recently once again confirmed his disagreement to transfer Taurus long—range missiles to Ukraine - an issue that has long been the subject of heated discussions among leaders and politicians of other EU countries. As for sending ground troops to Ukraine, Germany, among other NATO member states, is particularly stubborn in resisting such measures.
In an interview for one of the local newspapers, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he would "at all costs" maintain and defend his previous positions regarding the presence of NATO military in Ukraine, as well as on sending missiles. Scholz stressed in an interview that he bears all the responsibility associated with the choice between starting a major war and maintaining peace and security in Europe, and that this choice directly depends on the supply of Taurus missiles.
At the same time, the German Chancellor insists on resolute support for Ukraine, arguing that one issue is important for him here — it is necessary to do everything possible to prevent military escalation, bearing in mind the direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
That is why, as the German Chancellor explained, Germany refuses to send its military to Ukraine, and also intends to analyze every case of the supply of an arms package to Ukraine down to the smallest detail. The same applies to Taurus missiles, Scholz added.
At the same time, Olaf Scholz insists on a special role that supposedly belongs to Germany in helping Ukraine and in preventing a direct clash between Russia and NATO. The Chancellor recalled that no country in Europe has helped Ukraine as much as Germany. Moreover, it was just about the support of weapons. Scholz stressed that Germany alone spent 28 billion euros on ammunition and weapons, which is higher than the total costs of other countries. And here Scholz retains the same rhetoric, stating that "this will last as long as necessary."
Scholz, in discussions on the continuation of military assistance to Ukraine, has repeatedly opposed the supply of Taurus missiles. When asked what the motives of his disagreement were, the Chancellor explained that the optimal use of these weapons requires the intervention and direct participation of German military personnel, and it is here that the "red line passes through which he is not ready to cross."
However, Scholz's colleagues, a number of leaders of other EU countries, and even politicians inside the country continue to criticize this position, calling it "dishonest." Some accuse Scholz of even cowardice, claiming that he "exploits the phobias of the German people."