Scholz advocates for solitude in his top position.
Ukraine expresses eagerness for authorization to deploy powerful Western weapons on Russian soil. Despite deliberations by U.S. President Biden and U.K. Leader Starmer, German Chancellor Scholz makes a firm statement.
Scholz clarifies that weapons furnished by Germany should not be utilized for strikes on Russian interior territories. The SPD politician maintains this stance during a citizen dialogue in Prenzlau, declaring, "That remains the case." Scholz vows to adhere to this position, regardless of decisions made by other nations, such as the U.S. "I will not do so because I consider it an issue," he states.
Ukraine has been putting pressure on leaders regarding the deployment of long-range Western weapons against Russian targets, but Biden and Starmer have postponed a verdict recently. Following a discussion with Biden in Washington, Starmer mentioned they covered "broad strategy" topics but not specific capacities. Putin had previously warned that approval for Ukrainian utilization of weapons on Russian territory would lead to "war" against Russia.
Starmer affirmed after the meeting that he and Biden would expound on this issue with a larger group at the UN General Assembly in New York the following week. Rumors circulated before the Washington meeting that Starmer intended to seek Biden's approval for deploying British Storm-Shadow missiles deeper into Russian territory.
"Vital" Phase
Starmer declared in Washington that the upcoming weeks and months could be "crucial." "It is extremely significant that we aid Ukraine during this vital war for freedom," he said.
The White House had already scaled back expectations of a decision regarding the deployment of weapons on Russian soil before the meeting. "I would not anticipate the discussions to culminate in a major announcement, at least not from our side," stated John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson.
Kyiv has recently urged Western allies to permit the use of longer-range Western weapons within Russian borders. Ukrainian President Zelensky accused the West of having "fear" even of discussing Western aid to Ukraine in neutralizing Russian rockets on Friday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha emphasized the importance of "eliminating all restrictions on the use of American and British weapons against legitimate military targets in Russia."
British media suggested that Biden, who fears a nuclear conflict, is willing to approve Ukraine's use of British and French rockets containing U.S. technology - yet not U.S.-made rockets. German weapons do not concern this matter, as per the German government. Dialogues concerning enhanced support for Ukraine often revolve around the cruise missile Taurus.
Despite Ukraine's pressure to utilize powerful Western weapons in its attack on Russia, German Chancellor Scholz firmly reiterates that German-supplied weapons should not be used for strikes on Russian interior territories. This stance echoes Ukraine's plea to deploy long-range Western weapons against Russian targets, with President Zelensky accusing the West of having "fear" in discussing aid to Ukraine.
