British react to wiretapping scandal
Germany “penetrated by Russian secret services”
March 4, 2024, 12:55 p.m
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A recording of a conversation between Bundeswehr officers appears in the Russian media, in which confidential information and a possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles are discussed. People in Great Britain are hardly surprised: Germany is apparently no longer a trustworthy partner.
While there is great excitement about the Taurus wiretapping affair in Germany and among its allies, the leaked recording of several Bundeswehr officers about possible arms deliveries to Ukraine comes as little surprise to former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. “We know that Germany is quite penetrated by Russian intelligence services. This shows that they are neither safe nor reliable,” he told the Times.
On Friday, Russian television published a recording of a conversation between Bundeswehr officers about the possible use of Taurus cruise missiles. It will also be discussed how Ukraine could use the Taurus without specific target data transmission from the Bundeswehr. The recording makes it clear that there is currently no green light for a delivery at the political level. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promised rapid clarification on Sunday, which would primarily be provided by the military counterintelligence service.
However, the officers expressed incomprehension as to why Chancellor Olaf Scholz would oppose a delivery so vehemently. Last week, Wallace had already verbally attacked Scholz after he revealed details about the British Storm Shadow operation: “When it comes to Europe’s security, he is the wrong man in the wrong job at the wrong time.” Scholz rejects the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers to Ukraine for various reasons. Among other things, because he fears attacks on Moscow. Politicians from the coalition partners Greens and FDP as well as the Union have spoken out in favor of a delivery.
Russia questions Scholz’s control over the Bundeswehr
According to Tobias Ellwood, the leak spread by Russian media can be seen as a political instrument. “Why did Russia reveal the secret? Why did they share it?” asked the former chairman of the House of Commons Defense Committee. “I think they want to show that there are efforts to shake up politics in Germany, where Scholz is obviously very unpopular. They see this as a method to disrupt, to sow discord.”
And Russia continues to spread doubts. It is unclear whether the Bundeswehr is acting at the behest of the government or on its own initiative, said Russian Presidential Office spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The question also arises as to whether Scholz has the situation under control. “It is clear from the recording itself that plans for attacks on Russian territory are being discussed in terms of content and specificity within the Bundeswehr. This does not require any legal interpretation. This is all more than obvious.”
It must be clarified whether the Bundeswehr is acting on its own initiative. “Then the question arises: How controllable is the Bundeswehr and how much does Scholz have the situation under control? Or is it part of German government policy?” Both scenarios are very bad and underline the direct involvement of the West in the conflict over Ukraine.