Despite US aid
Scholz confirms Taurus rejection
April 24, 2024, 3:31 p.m
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The Ukrainians really want the Taurus cruise missile from Germany. But the Chancellor once again reiterates his no to a possible delivery. Meanwhile, Kiev could obtain other and more advanced weapons to defend itself against the Russian invasion.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to stick with his no to the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, even if the USA should deliver its ATACMS missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. At a press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, when asked about it, he said: As far as Taurus is concerned, “my decision will not change.”
The SPD politician emphasized again that Germany and Great Britain were the most important arms suppliers to Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, and particularly referred to the comprehensive support that Germany had provided in the areas of artillery and air defense. “My decision is very clear when it comes to the one weapon system. But my decision is also clear that we will continue to be Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe, that we will continue to be the two that do the most, along with Great Britain.”
New and changed types of weapons for Ukrainians?
After months of deadlock, the US Congress recently approved aid to Ukraine worth around $61 billion (€57 billion) with the Senate’s approval. The money could enable the delivery of ATACMS missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. So far, Ukraine has only received missiles with a range of 165 kilometers from the USA. This is a qualitatively new step in supporting Ukraine.
According to the government in London, Germany and Great Britain want to jointly develop a remote-controlled howitzer for future military ground operations. This was announced by the British government headquarters at 10 Downing Street on the occasion of Sunak’s visit to Berlin. Accordingly, it is about a further development of the RCH 155 guns, which are mounted on the four-axle Boxer troop transport from the German tank builder Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
So far, Scholz has always oriented himself towards the USA when it comes to supplying weapon systems of new quality. This was the case with the provision of long-range artillery and also with the Leopard 2 tanks, which were only sent to Ukraine after the USA agreed to supply its Abrams tanks. Despite the US decision, Scholz is now sticking to his rejection of cruise missiles.