As of: March 1, 2024, 5:23 a.m
By: Marcus Giebel
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Olaf Scholz apparently does not want to deliver Taurus to Ukraine under any circumstances.
Roderich Kiesewetter doesn't think that's just a big mistake on the part of the Chancellor.
Berlin – The borders are constantly shifting in the Ukraine war.
Not the national border of Russia, as Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin has imagined since his invasion order a good two years ago.
But those in the minds of Kiev's powerful supporters when it comes to the question of what will be provided for defense of the invaded country.
Scholz and Taurus: Chancellor rejects delivery of cruise missiles to Ukraine
From a German perspective, it initially seemed hardly conceivable to provide weapons and heavy military equipment.
Later, there was a long and fierce struggle to provide the Leopard 2 main battle tank in particular.
A similar debate is currently agitating not only German politics regarding the Taurus issue.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains reluctant to give the green light for air-to-surface cruise missiles.
He just made that clear again - and according to a survey, he knows the majority of Germans support him.
His fear: Ukrainian troops could fire the Taurus, which has a range of more than 500 kilometers, at targets in Russia.
Which means that Putin could - as the SPD politician interprets it - accuse Germany of participating in the war and attack his former adopted homeland.
There is no agreement on the Taurus issue: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (l.) is against the delivery of cruise missiles to Ukraine, Roderich Kiesewetter is vehemently in favor of it.
© IMAGO / Political-Moments, Screenshot Welt TV
Kiesewetter criticizes Scholz: “Use self-deterrence against the advice of the ministries”
Unlike Leopard & Co., Scholz doesn't seem to want to move any further here; his personal limit regarding military deliveries has been reached.
The traffic light boss has already had to listen to a lot from Roderich Kiesewetter because of his negative attitude towards the Taurus.
The CDU politician and retired Bundeswehr colonel took advantage of
an interview with the
Welt TV channel.
D. now to make it clear that in his eyes there should be no red lines - i.e. limits - when it comes to support.
“It is a self-deterrent that Scholz is doing against the advice of the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry.
We have to do it.
If we don't do it, Putin will expand the war," he outlines the drastic consequences of the Chancellor's no vote: "That's why we have to escalate ourselves so that Putin de-escalates." So the hope: If the West demonstrates its actual strength, Russia will become president tuck in your tail.
Scholz versus Macron: Kiesewetter jumps to the side of France's president
This would immediately lead to Kiesewetter's next point of criticism.
It is becoming clear that Ukraine's supporters no longer speak with one voice.
As an example, he cites Scholz's clear rejection of French President Emmanuel Macron, who had wondered loudly at the Ukraine conference in Paris whether sending Western troops to Ukraine could be an option.
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“Scholz makes the mistake because he shows the disunity of the West and shows himself what his Achilles heel is.
"You just have to threaten Scholz and he'll give in," Kiesewetter accuses the head of government: "This not only weakens Germany, but also turns Europe's strongest economic country into Putin's plaything."
Macron simply wanted to make it clear that “we must not show Putin our own red lines, we must make it clear that we are ready to do more for Ukraine.”
In this respect, Scholz “incited nonsense”.
Kiesewetter wants Taurus for Ukraine: “Chancellor hesitated for almost a year and invited Russia”
This also applies with regard to the cruise missiles longed for by Kiev: “Also his claim that Bundeswehr soldiers would be necessary to use Taurus.
Which is completely wrong.” Ukraine already has all the data it needs.
Kiesewetter, who recently used harsher words towards Russia, expects a Taurus delivery primarily to have “a massive psychological effect on war.”
But the 60-year-old goes even further: “It would perhaps be decisive for the war if it were actually possible for the Russian troops to no longer have any supply lines or means of supply.
It is not too late, but the Chancellor has delayed for almost a year with these funds (…) and this delay has of course invited Russia to expand the supply lines.”
It almost seems as if the opposition politician wanted to use this method to appeal to Scholz's conscience with clear words.
A few days after the Chancellor hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.
Will Ukraine get it or not?
So far it doesn't look like Germany will deliver the Taurus to Kiev.
© IMAGO / Sven Eckelkamp
Fighter jets for Ukraine: Kiesewetter refers to other supporters of Kiev
Kiesewetter also emphasizes that fighter jets will soon be delivered to Kiev.
France is discussing it, Sweden wants to deliver, and Ukraine is said to have rejected an offer from Australia.
The Netherlands and Denmark have promised F-16 fighter jets from the USA.
“We have to prepare our population for the fact that we have to do more,” says Kiesewetter, admonishing the government and especially its boss, who has sometimes gone into hiding.
Overall, he would like: “A little more calmness, but also more determination, clarity and, above all, courage to speak back to the Chancellor, who restricts us ourselves.”
(mg)