The traffic light increases the pressure on “Taurus” deliveries to Ukraine. The coalition factions want to submit a motion calling on the government to deliver “long-range weapons systems”. But “Taurus” is not explicitly mentioned.
Ukraine has been hoping for a delivery of German “Taurus” cruise missiles for months, but the federal government is still reluctant. Now the traffic light party factions want to increase the pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They want to jointly call on the federal government to deliver more weapons to Ukraine – systems that reach far behind the Russian front line.
The “Taurus” cruise missiles are not explicitly mentioned in the coalition proposal. The paper that “Stern” first reported on and that also dpa and dem ARD capital studio is available, but calls for “the delivery of additionally necessary long-range weapon systems and ammunition in order to enable Ukraine (…) to enable targeted attacks in accordance with international law on strategically relevant targets far in the rear area of the Russian aggressor.” On the other hand, it is about “further strengthening the land forces by supplying armored combat systems and protected vehicles.”
The traffic light factions want to discuss the application internally this Tuesday before the Bundestag decides on it this week.
SPD rejects the “Taurus” name
The Greens and FDP had actually demanded the mention of “Taurus” during the weeks-long vote, but the SPD had rejected this. Chancellor Scholz has not yet given his consent to the delivery of the cruise missiles, but has always pointed out that Germany is already the second largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine in the defensive fight against Russia. The application expressly emphasizes that the extent of military aid must be based on the “restoration of the full territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”.
“In particular, Ukraine must continue to be in a position to carry out attacks on military targets such as ammunition depots, supply routes and command posts far behind the front lines and to protect its soldiers as best as possible from the diverse attacks of the Russian military,” says the draft application further.
France and Great Britain supply guided missiles
The delivery of guided missiles by our European partners France and Great Britain is therefore expressly welcomed. “The use of precise stand-off weapons for national defense is compatible with international law and indispensable for the protection of Ukraine.” Great Britain and France have long been supplying Ukraine with virtually identical “Storm Shadow” and “Scalp” cruise missiles. However, these are not considered as precise and powerful as “Taurus”.
The government in Kiev has officially requested the “Taurus” delivery in May 2023. The Chancellor declared in October that Germany would not deliver “Taurus” for the time being. The fear behind this is that the missiles could hit Russian territory and Russia would interpret this as a direct attack with German participation.
In January, a majority in the Bundestag voted against a “Taurus” delivery to Ukraine. At that time, the Union faction submitted a corresponding motion for a resolution. However, the FDP and Greens, who are actually in favor of the deliveries, justified their rejection by linking the Union’s application to the plenary debate on the annual report of the military commissioner.