The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, recently stated that Berlin would have to select Russian targets itself if it were to supply Taurus missile systems to Ukraine. Despite Ukraine’s request for these long-range missiles, Scholz emphasized that their use could potentially provoke a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, as the weapons have a range of 500 kilometers.
While Germany has provided military hardware to Ukraine, Scholz has refused to follow France and Britain in supplying Taurus missiles, citing the risk of escalating the conflict. Russia has warned against providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry, claiming it could draw the West into the hostilities with severe repercussions.
Scholz highlighted Germany’s significant military aid to Ukraine but stressed the importance of avoiding direct involvement in the conflict. He mentioned that delivering Taurus missiles would only be feasible if Germany could define the targets themselves, a scenario that he aims to prevent to maintain peace.
Despite criticism of NATO’s proposed no-fly zone over Ukraine, Scholz emphasized the need to avoid confrontation with Russia and pledged to refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict further.