Scholz opposes circular missile exchange with UK, which would allow transfer of Taurus to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed the circular exchange of British Storm Shadow missiles for German Taurus on March 12, which would allow the transfer of long-range weapons to Ukraine, DW reported.

The UK can send more Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine if it receives Taurus from Germany, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said earlier.

Read also: Long-range missiles have no impact on war progression — German DM Pistorius

“As for this weapon system, I believe that given its capabilities, it cannot be used without control, and that the participation of German soldiers cannot be justified even from outside Ukraine,” Scholz said during a joint press conference with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Berlin on March 11.

Read also: Ukrainian Air Force warns that public pressure will not speed up the delivery of Taurus missiles

He emphasized the question was not whether they will be used directly or not, and also called his position on the issue “clear”.

“It is my task as chancellor, as head of government, to speak accurately and not to create any false expectations,” he added.

“And my answers are accordingly clear.”

Read also: London ‘ready to consider all options’ to speed up delivery of German Taurus missiles to Ukraine

German is open to Cameron’s proposal for a circular exchange, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on March 11.

She is in favor of the German government “actively considering” the potential supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, Baerbock said on March 5.

Berlin has not outright denied Ukraine the Taurus missiles but has not been ready to provide them, possibly due to Chancellor Scholz’s hesitations, Pistorius said in September 2023.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will not use Western long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.

The Bundestag did not support a draft resolution calling for the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine on Jan. 17, with only 178 out of 666 MPs voting in favor.

On Feb. 5, Christian Freuding, head of the Special Staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense, said that long-range Taurus missiles cannot turn the tide of war in favor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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