German opposition leader defends Taurus delivery proposal for Ukraine

October 28, 2024

By Ukraine

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The leader of Germany’s opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, has rejected claims that supplying Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine would draw Germany into the war, according to Tagesschau.

The Taurus KEPD-350 missile system is crucial for Ukraine as it would allow strikes on Russian military targets and supply lines up to 500km away, significantly beyond Ukraine’s current strike capabilities.

Germany has been refusing to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine since approximately May 2023. Chancellor Scholz consistently cited concerns about potential escalation and the need to prevent direct German involvement in the war through target data and personnel requirements.

Friedrich Merz was responding to statements by ultra-left politician Sahra Wagenknecht, who opposed any military assistance to Ukraine.

“The delivery of Taurus is anything but entering the war. Ms. Wagenknecht, by the way, knows this,” Merz said during an ARD broadcast.

The CDU leader emphasized that cruise missiles would enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s internationally unlawful aggression, pointing out that countries like France and Great Britain are already supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine.

The exchange comes amid coalition talks in Saxony and Thuringia, where Wagenknecht’s Alliance is involved but facing difficulties due to their foreign policy demands.

Wagenknecht had indirectly called for the CDU in Thuringia to distance itself from Merz after his repeated calls for Taurus deliveries to Ukraine, claiming “if we did what he called for, Germany would enter into war with Russia.”

Before the EU summit on 17 October, Merz proposed that Chancellor Scholz issue an ultimatum to Putin.

“He should be told: if he doesn’t stop bombing civilian populations in Ukraine within 24 hours, then Germany should send Taurus missiles to destroy the supply routes this regime uses to harm Ukraine’s civilian population,” reports Tagesschau, citing Merz.

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