As of: March 1, 2024, 5:24 a.m
By: Nail Akkoyun
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Chancellor Scholz may have revealed intelligence information about a military operation in Ukraine.
Now he has to put up with severe criticism.
Update from February 29th, 6:00 p.m.:
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statements about the targeting of cruise missiles in Ukraine by Great Britain and France have met with sharp criticism from experts and allies.
There is speculation that the French and British are programming their own “Scalp” and “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles, which were delivered to Ukraine, and that at least Great Britain has stationed personnel in Ukraine for this purpose.
This was never officially confirmed.
Scholz made a serious technical error, German security expert Maximilian Terhalle told the dpa on Thursday.
“He has put the ax to the cohesion of NATO” and is endangering cooperation with Ukraine.
It is a serious mistake to make public intelligence findings from our closest allies.
Scholz justified his refusal with the risk of Germany becoming involved in the war.
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
Reveal secret information?
Government spokesman Hebestreit defends Scholz
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters on Thursday: "Ukraine's use of the Storm Shadow long-range missile system and the target selection process is a matter for the Ukrainian armed forces." The United Kingdom has "a small number of personnel in the country "To ensure the security of our diplomatic presence and to support the Ukrainian armed forces, including through medical training." In response to similar statements from the British Ministry of Defense to
Spiegel
, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said that he saw no contradiction with the Chancellor's statements.
In France, too, it was never officially communicated whether French soldiers in Ukraine were helping to program cruise missiles.
It has been said so far that France is training Ukrainian soldiers in France or in neighboring countries of the country attacked by Russia.
The reaction to Scholz's statements was cautious.
“As far as the German Chancellor’s statements are concerned, we would like to remind you that everyone acts within the framework that they consider appropriate,” the Paris Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
“Our goal is the same: to make Russia fail.”
British soldiers in Ukraine – did Scholz spill a secret?
First report:
Berlin/London – In the midst of the Taurus debate, Olaf Scholz (SPD) sparked a controversy and thus attracted the wrath of Great Britain.
At an event in Berlin on Monday (February 26), the Chancellor once again emphasized that Germany would not deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev - and at the same time possibly revealed that British soldiers are in Ukraine.
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“It is a very long-range weapon.
And what the British and French are doing in terms of target control and accompanying target control cannot be done in Germany.
Everyone who has dealt with this system knows that,” said Scholz.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) at the beginning of the Federal Cabinet meeting in the Chancellery.
The photo was taken on February 28, 2024. © Emmanuele Contini/Imago
Criticism of Chancellor Scholz: Ukraine statements “completely irresponsible”
Although this statement can be interpreted in different ways, the
Telegraph
has already strongly criticized the Chancellor: "This is a blatant misuse of intelligence information, which is deliberately intended to distract from Germany's hesitation to arm Ukraine with its own long-range missile system." said Tobias Ellwood, former chairman of the British Defense Committee.
Russia will “undoubtedly use” the situation to further escalate.
Scholz was also criticized by German opposition MPs.
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen described the Chancellor's statements as “completely irresponsible”.
When it comes to the reluctance to deliver Taurus systems, Scholz's former competitor for the Chancellery, Armin Laschet (CDU), showed understanding.
He does not have all the information that the Chancellor has that would have led him to make his decision.
“But I have always understood his reserved nature on this issue,” said Laschet.
One must ensure that the war in Ukraine does not escalate further.
London confirms: British soldiers in Ukraine – but not involved in operations
On Tuesday (February 27), the British government confirmed that it has deployed a "small number" of soldiers in Ukraine.
However, London stressed that some of them are involved in the troops' medical training.
Otherwise, Scholz's statements were completely contradicted;
they are not taking part in the use of Storm Shadow missiles on Ukrainian soil.
Dealing with the cruise missiles is entirely “a matter for the Ukrainian armed forces,” a spokesman for the British Ministry of Defense told the
AFP
news agency on Wednesday (February 28) .
The ministry had previously made a similar statement to
Spiegel
.
The use of these systems plays "a fundamental role" in the defense of Ukraine and has "changed the strategic situation by increasing pressure on Russian forces and their supply lines," the spokesman said.
The Ukrainian armed forces are currently under massive pressure in their defensive battle because there is a lack of Western supplies, especially ammunition.
Great Britain and France began supplying Kiev with jointly produced long-range “Storm Shadow” and “Scalp” missiles last year.
The projectiles have a range of around 500 kilometers - just like the German Taurus rockets.
(nak/AFP)