The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, was unable to directly explain why his country refuses to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range Taurus missiles for the third year of the Russian invasion.
Scholz made the statements during a joint briefing with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on December 2.
Can Ukraine strike Russian territory with Western weapons: allies' position (updated)There are increasing calls to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons against targets in Russian territory. The allies' position is illustrated in the infographic. Specifically, Scholz was asked: how should Ukraine strengthen its position ahead of potential negotiations with the Russian Federation if Germany does not provide long-range Taurus missiles and is also against inviting Ukraine to NATO?
“Germany is providing the largest military assistance to Ukraine across Europe. We have already delivered aid totaling 28 billion euros. And I can clearly state that we will not reduce our assistance… We will firmly support Ukraine. In certain matters, we are still considering what to provide. But we will continue our assistance,” Scholz stated, without addressing the reasons for Germany's refusal to send long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv.
Following this, Scholz was again asked how he can explain to Ukrainians that Germany is not fulfilling two of the most important requests: the Taurus missiles and NATO invitation?
In response, Scholz reiterated the systems provided to Kyiv, including air defense, artillery, anti-aircraft systems, and tanks. He noted that they are “discussing” certain systems but will not weaken their aid, the German Chancellor asserted.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that “he and Olaf Scholz share common views, there are discrepancies, but work is underway to find more common ground on the Taurus issue.”
Additionally, Scholz confirmed that Germany will deliver the sixth IRIS-T system to Ukraine in December, along with launchers for the Patriot and Gepard systems. In 2025, Germany will also supply air defense systems.
“We have already provided five complete sets of IRIS-T systems, three Patriot systems... The sixth IRIS-T system and additional launchers for Patriot and Gepard will arrive in December,” Scholz said.
He also noted that next year Germany will supply air defense systems, howitzers, combat and reconnaissance drones, and six Sea King helicopters.
It is important to remember that Olaf Scholz has still not changed his position on Taurus for Ukraine, even despite permission for long-range strikes from the United States. Recently, the President of the European Parliament called on Germany to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles.