Boris Johnson announces that Scholz will provide Taurus tanks to Ukraine.
The United States and Britain are contemplating allowing Ukraine to utilize weapons on Russian soil. Scholz maintains his negation in the Taurus predicament, even if it implies acting solo, which could deviate from his alignment with allies. Supporters view this as an opportunity.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is rumored to be rethinking his opposition to providing Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, as suggested by ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson asserted to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" during a security conference in Kyiv, "We most certainly require a Taurus delivery, definitely."
Johnson also acknowledges Germany's reservations in the Taurus predicament, attributing it to the nation's past history. He commends Scholz's significant support for Ukraine, declaring, "What Olaf has done here is remarkable." However, he underscores the necessity for a clear stance in this critical phase.
The Taurus debate centers around potential targets Ukraine could engage with this weapon, possibly on Russian territory. Neither Britain nor the United States has endorsed such a move, allowing Kyiv to utilize western weapons against Russian targets. Conference participants in Kyiv encourage London and Washington to approve this, preventing attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, such as targeting positions and airfields from which Moscow directs its assaults. During a meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, no such agreement was reached. Strict limits on shelling Russian positions near the border remain in force.
Tories press Starmer for action
According to media reports, five former British defense ministers are backing Johnson's stance and urge Prime Minister Starmer to permit Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles on Russian territory, without US support, according to the Sunday Times. They warn of the potential consequences of further delay, stating, "Any further delay would embolden President Putin," the report suggests.
The "SZ" suggests that a potential shift in position from Western partners on the Taurus question may exacerbate pressure on Germany. Scholz has consistently emphasized his intent to act in conjunction with the US. The Taurus cruise missiles are instrumental to this debate due to their greater range than those supplied by other Western allies.
Ischinger: Weapon use aligned with international law
Wolfgang Ischinger, a longstanding head of the Munich Security Conference, perceives no conflict with international law regarding the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles and their subsequent use on Russian territory. He suggested, "It would be more straightforward and understandable if we merely stated: We pledge Ukraine to utilize the weapons systems we provide solely within the parameters compatible with existing international law."
This implies that weapons cannot be used to bombard hospitals – a practice perpetrated by Russians since the outset. Instead, they should be employed to strike military objectives such as airports or launch bases, reducing cruise missile attacks. "Otherwise, we'll face the same argument if we now say 100 kilometers and the Russians move further back and employ longer-range systems," Ischinger emphasized.
CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter does not comprehend Scholz's resistance to the Taurus issue. "All the red lines can now be woven into a red carpet for Putin," he told the newspaper in Kyiv. He also anticipates that US approval for utilizing longer-range weapons against military targets in Russia will soon be granted.
Despite the United States and Britain not endorsing Ukraine's use of western weapons against Russian targets, supporters at the Kyiv conference urge for approval, aiming to prevent attacks on civilian areas. The attack on Ukraine continues to drive calls from some British officials and defense ministers for Prime Minister Starmer to allow Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles on Russian territory, without US support, to deter further Russian aggression.
