In view of Russian attacks, new demands for Taurus deliveries to Ukraine
The pledge to support Ukraine for as long as necessary would become "a phrase if we do not continue to support Ukraine together with our European partners and do so much more strongly", Strack-Zimmermann continued. The European coalition for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets must also "pick up speed much faster if we want to counter Russia's air superiority", said the FDP politician. Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on "us being afraid of our own courage", said Strack-Zimmermann. "And he is obviously right. This hesitation is so bitter."
The Greens' security policy spokesperson Sara Nanni agreed with the call for reliable aid. There is "not enough planning certainty regarding German support due to the tense debate on the budget," Nanni told the t-online portal. Ammunition for artillery, Taurus cruise missiles and "spare parts for the large equipment we have supplied" are currently urgently needed in Ukraine.
The CDU/CSU in the Bundestag is also renewing its demands for Taurus deliveries. At its traditional winter retreat in Seeon Monastery in Upper Bavaria (January 6 to 8), the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag intends to adopt a list of demands, which also calls for greater military support for Ukraine. This "explicitly includes the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to the Ukrainian army", the Augsburger Allgemeine quotes from the paper.
On Tuesday morning, Russia once again carried out massive missile and drone attacks in Ukraine. According to the authorities, at least four people were killed. According to the Ukrainian air force, the capital Kiev and the surrounding area were particularly affected. According to the state energy supplier Ukrenergo, the power grid was also severely damaged. More than 250,000 people in the capital region are without electricity.
The German government is still reluctant to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Taurus has a range of more than 500 kilometers and would make it easier for the Ukrainian army to attack weapons depots and supply lines on Russian territory.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- Houthi rebels want to launch further attacks despite international coalition
- Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from the FDP urged Germany to speed up its support for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, stating that Russia is counting on Germany's fear of its own courage.
- The Greens' security policy spokesperson, Sara Nanni, echoed the call for reliable aid, expressing concerns about the lack of planning certainty due to budget debates, particularly in regards to Taurus cruise missiles, ammunition, and spare parts.
- The CDU/CSU in the Bundestag has renewed its demands for Taurus deliveries, with the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag set to adopt a list of demands during their winter retreat, explicitly including the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to the Ukrainian army.
- On Tuesday, Russia conducted another round of massive missile and drone attacks in Ukraine, resulting in at least four fatalities and leaving over 250,000 people in Kiev without electricity.
- Amid these attacks, the German government continues to display reluctance in delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, as these missiles have a range exceeding 500 kilometers and could potentially target weapons depots and supply lines on Russian territory.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin's pledge to support Ukraine for as long as necessary could become mere words if Germany does not support Ukraine in conjunction with its European partners and substantially increase its support.
- In view of these circumstances, a new demand for Taurus deliveries to Ukraine has surfaced, as reliable aid is essential in countering Russia's air superiority and supporting Ukraine's efforts against Putin's forces.
- Taurus deliveries have become an increasingly contentious issue, with the German government facing internal and international pressure to support Ukraine and the European coalition while managing potential geopolitical repercussions for Russia.
- The FDP and other German parties, such as the Greens and CDU/CSU, have initiated a national dialogue on Taurus deliveries, emphasizing the need to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities and demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression.
Source: www.stern.de
