Scholz rejects switching stance on missiles for Ukraine

(MENAFN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reaffirmed his stance against sending Ukraine long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, despite Germany's strong support for Kyiv. In a televised debate with rival Friedrich Merz ahead of the February 23 general election, Scholz, from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed concerns about escalating the conflict.

While Germany has provided Ukraine with €16.8 billion ($17.3 billion) in weapons and humanitarian aid over the past three years, Scholz remains opposed to supplying Taurus missiles, fearing they could intensify the war. "I do not think it is right to deliver destructive weapons deep into the Russian hinterland," Scholz stated during the debate.

Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), advocated for the delivery of long-range weapons, suggesting that such decisions should be made collectively by the European Union. He pointed to the United States, France, and the UK as examples, stating that Europe should also follow suit.

In November, the US, under President Joe Biden, gave Ukraine the green light to carry out deep strikes on Russian soil with American-supplied weapons, a stance later supported by the UK and France. In retaliation, Russia used its Oreshnik hypersonic missile system to strike military targets in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin warned that continued strikes would result in Russia targeting military sites in countries that allow such actions.

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