Scholz remains steadfast on not providing Kiev with long-range weapons
Germany has stated that it will not permit its weapons to be utilized for long-range strikes by Ukraine into Russian territory, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Germany will maintain its restrictions on advanced weaponry, even if Ukraine's other allies choose to act differently, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He made clear that Germany will not permit its long-range weapons to be used for Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory, regardless of the decisions made by other nations.
Scholz’s comments come in response to suggestions from Washington and London, who indicated they could allow Ukraine to utilize missiles like the American-made ATACMS and the British-made Storm Shadow for such purposes. During a Q&A session in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, on Saturday, Scholz emphasized, “I’m sticking to my stance, even if other countries decide differently. I won’t do that because I think it’s a problem.”
Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military donor, following the United States, having provided or pledged over €28 billion in lethal aid since the onset of the conflict with Russia, as per data from the Federal Government website. Nevertheless, Berlin has refrained from following the lead of the UK and France in supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. In May, Scholz explained that the delivery of Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 km, would equate to Germany’s direct involvement in the war. “It would only be tenable to deliver [these weapons] if we determine and define the targets ourselves, and that is again not possible if you don’t want to be part of this conflict,” he noted.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Western powers regarding the escalation of hostilities. He stated, “We are not talking about allowing or prohibiting the Kiev regime from striking Russian territory,” pointing out that Ukraine was already engaged in such actions.
Ukrainian forces have employed Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to target locations in Crimea and Donbass, areas claimed by Kiev as its own, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Putin clarified that Ukraine lacks the capability to independently operate Western long-range systems, as coordination for these strikes relies on intelligence from NATO satellites, with firing solutions provided exclusively by NATO military personnel. “This will mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries are fighting against Russia,” Putin asserted. He warned that such direct participation would alter “the very essence, the very nature of the conflict,” necessitating Russia to “make the appropriate decisions on the threats.”
In June, Putin vowed that Moscow would intercept any missiles employed for long-range strikes and respond against those responsible, which could include supplying similar advanced weaponry to forces opposing the West.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Scholz’s comments come in response to suggestions from Washington and London, who indicated they could allow Ukraine to utilize missiles like the American-made ATACMS and the British-made Storm Shadow for such purposes. During a Q&A session in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, on Saturday, Scholz emphasized, “I’m sticking to my stance, even if other countries decide differently. I won’t do that because I think it’s a problem.”
Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military donor, following the United States, having provided or pledged over €28 billion in lethal aid since the onset of the conflict with Russia, as per data from the Federal Government website. Nevertheless, Berlin has refrained from following the lead of the UK and France in supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. In May, Scholz explained that the delivery of Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 km, would equate to Germany’s direct involvement in the war. “It would only be tenable to deliver [these weapons] if we determine and define the targets ourselves, and that is again not possible if you don’t want to be part of this conflict,” he noted.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Western powers regarding the escalation of hostilities. He stated, “We are not talking about allowing or prohibiting the Kiev regime from striking Russian territory,” pointing out that Ukraine was already engaged in such actions.
Ukrainian forces have employed Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to target locations in Crimea and Donbass, areas claimed by Kiev as its own, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Putin clarified that Ukraine lacks the capability to independently operate Western long-range systems, as coordination for these strikes relies on intelligence from NATO satellites, with firing solutions provided exclusively by NATO military personnel. “This will mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries are fighting against Russia,” Putin asserted. He warned that such direct participation would alter “the very essence, the very nature of the conflict,” necessitating Russia to “make the appropriate decisions on the threats.”
In June, Putin vowed that Moscow would intercept any missiles employed for long-range strikes and respond against those responsible, which could include supplying similar advanced weaponry to forces opposing the West.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
