The fact remains: Germany will not deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Although this attitude is also controversial in the traffic light government, a clear majority in the Bundestag rejected the Union’s proposal.
For months, several politicians from the traffic light coalition have been demanding the delivery of “Taurus” cruise missiles to the government in Kiev – especially from the ranks of the FDP and the Greens. Nevertheless, the Bundestag has now rejected by a large majority a corresponding motion for a resolution from the Union parliamentary group, which expressly called on the federal government to “finally and immediately provide Ukraine with operational ‘Taurus’ cruise missiles to the greatest possible extent.”
In a roll-call vote, 178 MPs voted for the bill, 485 against and three abstained. This means that the proposal received less support than the CDU/CSU parliamentary group has seats. It has 197 seats in parliament.
Fear of attack on Russian territory
The “Taurus” is one of the Air Force’s most modern missiles and can destroy targets such as bunkers, weapons depots or supply lines, even from great heights and distances. Ukraine has been demanding the weapons for a long time.
At the beginning of October, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) decided not to deliver these cruise missiles to Ukraine for the time being. The reason behind this is the fear that Russian territory could also be hit due to the range of 500 kilometers. However, there is considerable resistance to the Chancellor’s stance among the Greens and FDP.
Rejection was already becoming apparent
Because of the differences in the coalition, the Union wanted to force the traffic light factions to show their colors in the Bundestag. She used today’s debate on the annual report of the Armed Forces Commissioner for 2022 to submit the motion. During the roll-call vote, the CDU and CSU apparently hoped that supporters of delivery in the traffic light coalition would join the motion.
However, MPs from the Greens and FDP justified their rejection precisely because the Union’s proposal was linked to the plenary debate on the annual report of the Armed Forces Commissioner. For example, the FDP parliamentarian Nils Gründer explained: “Of course the FDP parliamentary group is in favor of the delivery of ‘Taurus’ (…), but I find it weak that we are pursuing this debate on the back of the concerns of our soldiers carry out today.”
According to “Spiegel”, several Green MPs and the FDP defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who are promoting “Taurus” deliveries, had made it clear before the vote that they did not want to vote with the Union. They therefore spoke of party-tactical behavior.
Habeck emphasizes Germany’s consideration
The Union parliamentary group’s defense policy spokesman, Florian Hahn (CSU), appealed for approval in the plenary debate: “Let’s not allow ourselves to have to answer to history for not having done the right thing or enough at the crucial moment. “
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck explained that when it comes to arms deliveries to Ukraine, it is always important to consider “that Germany does not directly become a party to the war.” However, the federal government is supporting Ukraine “massively”, including with artillery ammunition.