Cameron promotes aid to Ukraine
Baerbock does not rule out Taurus delivery
March 7, 2024, 7:06 p.m
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Chancellor Scholz rejects the delivery of cruise missiles to Ukraine – in contrast to Great Britain. During his visit to Berlin, British Foreign Minister Cameron is now doing some convincing.
During his visit to Germany, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron urged the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine. “As far as long-range weapons are concerned, I can say from Britain’s experience how effective these weapons have been in helping Ukraine combat illegal aggression,” he said after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin.
Great Britain is supplying, among other things, Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects the provision of the Bundeswehr’s longer-range Taurus cruise missiles on the grounds that he fears involvement in the war.
Baerbock, however, did not rule out the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles at the joint press conference with Cameron. “You know that we as a federal government as a whole ask ourselves every day what else we can do to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression,” said Baerbock, when asked about Taurus. However, she emphasized that the term “long-range weapon systems” meant a large number of weapons. The Bundestag chose this formulation in a resolution on Ukraine with the votes of the traffic light coalition.
Cameron sees no risk of escalation
Cameron strongly opposed the theory that the delivery of new weapons systems could lead to an escalation of the war. This debate has been going on again and again since the Russian invasion two years ago. It was said: “If you give Ukraine anti-tank weapons, that’s an escalation. No, it wasn’t. If you give Ukraine tanks, that’s an escalation. No, that wasn’t. If you give Ukraine long-range artillery or “If there are long-range missiles, that’s an escalation. No, it’s not.”
If the goal is to help a country defend itself against illegal and completely unjustified aggression, then nothing should stop you, Cameron stressed. “As long as we do not find ourselves in a situation where a NATO soldier kills a Russian soldier, we are not causing an escalation, but rather allowing Ukraine to defend itself.”
With a view to a possible victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election, Baerbock reiterated that no matter who is in power in the White House, the European pillar of NATO must be strengthened. Cameron did not want to comment on the Bundeswehr’s latest wiretapping affair involving the Taurus. The West must not adopt the Russian narrative. It’s about showing determination and unity. Cameron was in Berlin for the second German-British dialogue on foreign and security policy cooperation.