The German chancellor and his defense minister have doubled down on their decision not to send long-range missiles to Ukraine.
The answer is still nein.
The United States and the United Kingdom have said they will send fresh batches of long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine this week, but while Germany ramps up pressure on its allies to donate air defense systems to the embattled country, there’s no sign Chancellor Olaf Scholz will budge on sending the German military’s available Taurus long-range missiles.
Scholz’s refusal to send the weapons “remains the case” despite new pledges from the U.S. and the U.K., German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during an interview on German public television late Wednesday.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The United States and the United Kingdom have said they will send fresh batches of long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine this week, but while Germany ramps up pressure on its allies to donate air defense systems to the embattled country, there’s no sign Chancellor Olaf Scholz will budge on sending the German military’s available Taurus long-range missiles.
His explanation has evolved over time, but Scholz has repeatedly underscored the dangers of escalation, warning the move could lead to direct military conflict with Russia.
“Scholz is not betting on a Ukrainian victory but on negotiations with Putin,” said Norbert Röttgen, a senior lawmaker with the opposition Christian Democrats.
German officials say there’s been too much emphasis on Taurus missiles and have touted Berlin’s other forms of support for Ukraine, including air defense.
Germany this month launched a platform for allies to find and fund more air defense systems for Ukraine, especially Patriot models.
During his Wednesday television interview, Pistorius, a social democrat, said Berlin “expects” its allies to send their unused Patriot systems to Ukraine, and expressed surprise at the failure of countries such as Greece and Spain to do so.
The original article contains 541 words, the summary contains 190 words. Saved 65%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
Germany seems to be Russia’s biggest ally in continental Europe at this point
Last I checked, Belarus was in continental Europe, but let’s go to the map…
Yep, it hasn’t moved into Africa since I last checked.
They transitioned off Nuclear… while they have a large renewable grid they’re now dependent on natural gas for baseload production… and that means diplomatic entanglements with Russia.
Kinda undermines the whole “don’t give money to the guys waging an expansionist war of extermination” mindset, no?
Germany procures absolutely zero gas from Russia
I do not think they get much gas from Ru anymore. I think Norway and the US are providing them with what they need.
Germany is 2nd highest spender on Ukraine which contradicts your oppiniin.
America number 1!!!
While I wish they would give Ukraine what they need. I also kinda think it is a good thing that they remember their legacy.
Refusing to send one weapon system is not a Russian ally. He is concerned about the range and that it could be used to attack Russia proper.
At this point, I think that is a weak argument, as Ukraine needs to attack Russia proper to stop the war. Russia won’t quit as long as it’s people are not impacted by the war.
Olaf, you know what will lead to direct confrontation with the Russians? When they finish rolling through Poland on their way to your border. Get with the program man.
