By Michael Fischer and Jörg Blank, dpa
BERLIN – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has yet again voiced his clear opposition to delivering long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Scholz has faced sharp criticism from the conservative opposition and others for his refusal to give Ukraine the missiles, despite repeated pleas from Kiev.
Scholz reiterated his refusal during debate on Wednesday in Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, citing his fears that providing the advanced weapons might draw Germany more directly into the conflict with Russia.
“Prudence is not something that can be classified as weakness, as some do, but instead prudence is what the citizens of this country are entitled to,” the Social Democrat said.
He again contended that supplying Ukrainian forces with Taurus missiles would also require the involvement of German soldiers to help with targeting and other tasks. Opposition politicians, and even some members of Scholz’s three-party coalition, have questioned that claim.
“It is out of the question for me to supply far-reaching weapons systems that can only be sensibly supplied if they would also involve German soldiers – even outside of Ukraine,” Scholz said. “That is a line that I as chancellor do not want to cross.”
The centre-right opposition CDU/CSU bloc plans to force a vote on Thursday on a resolution demanding that Scholz’s government give Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Many Greens and liberal-conservative Free Democrats (FDP), the junior parties in Scholz’s coalition, also support sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. But coalition lawmakers have largely stood by Scholz during similar previous opposition motions aimed at overturning his decision.
Parliamentary leaders from Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and coalition partners the Greens have expressed confidence that lawmakers will stand with the chancellor again in this week’s vote.
