Scholz of Germany Maintains Position on Not Sending Missiles to Ukraine
Friedrich Merz, the chancellor's election opponent, has advocated for the provision of long-range missiles to Kiev on a European Union-wide basis. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
During the first and only televised debate ahead of the February 23 general election, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his stance against supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory. Scholz faced off against his election rival, Friedrich Merz, during the 90-minute debate.
Despite Germany's significant support for Kiev, providing approximately €16.8 billion in weapons and humanitarian assistance over the last three years, Scholz has consistently declined to send long-range German-made Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalation.
The Chancellor, representing the Social Democratic Party, stated, “I do not think it is right to deliver destructive weapons deep into the Russian hinterland.” He added, “That is, I believe, exactly the kind of step not to make if you carry responsibility for Germany.”
In contrast, Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, advocated for the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine, insisting that such actions should occur within the framework of a coordinated EU effort. He remarked, “I have always said the delivery of cruise missiles must be decided in the EU. The US delivers, France delivers, Britain delivers; we should also have delivered.”
In November, former US President Joe Biden reversed course and allowed Ukraine to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory using American-supplied weapons, a decision that was soon echoed by London and Paris.
Later that month, Russia employed its new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system to target the Yuzhmash military facility in Dnepr, Ukraine, claiming the action was retaliatory following attacks on its recognized territory using US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that continued Ukrainian strikes would lead Moscow to reserve the right “to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow the use of their weapons against our facilities.” Just before the New Year, Putin warned that "the possibility of using it [Oreshnik again] today or tomorrow, if there is a need,” cannot be ruled out.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Despite Germany's significant support for Kiev, providing approximately €16.8 billion in weapons and humanitarian assistance over the last three years, Scholz has consistently declined to send long-range German-made Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalation.
The Chancellor, representing the Social Democratic Party, stated, “I do not think it is right to deliver destructive weapons deep into the Russian hinterland.” He added, “That is, I believe, exactly the kind of step not to make if you carry responsibility for Germany.”
In contrast, Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, advocated for the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine, insisting that such actions should occur within the framework of a coordinated EU effort. He remarked, “I have always said the delivery of cruise missiles must be decided in the EU. The US delivers, France delivers, Britain delivers; we should also have delivered.”
In November, former US President Joe Biden reversed course and allowed Ukraine to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory using American-supplied weapons, a decision that was soon echoed by London and Paris.
Later that month, Russia employed its new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system to target the Yuzhmash military facility in Dnepr, Ukraine, claiming the action was retaliatory following attacks on its recognized territory using US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that continued Ukrainian strikes would lead Moscow to reserve the right “to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow the use of their weapons against our facilities.” Just before the New Year, Putin warned that "the possibility of using it [Oreshnik again] today or tomorrow, if there is a need,” cannot be ruled out.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
