War
Klitschko thanks Germany – and demands Taurus missiles
Vitali Klitschko appeals to all allies to continue to support Ukraine. photo
© Felix Hörhager/dpa
Ukraine is not giving up hope that Germany will still deliver Taurus missiles. “We can use this to destroy the Russians’ military logistics,” says Kiev Mayor Klitschko.
Two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kiev’s mayor Vitali Klitschko appreciated German military aid, but at the same time called for additional weapon systems. For his country, “one of the most important questions” is whether Germany will deliver the requested Taurus cruise missiles, Klitschko said in an interview with the dpa.
“We are defending our country. And that’s why we need Taurus. We can use it to destroy the Russians’ military logistics.” He expects a positive decision from the federal government.
Bundestag discusses military aid for Ukraine
Ukraine already requested the Taurus cruise missiles with high accuracy and a range of 500 kilometers from the federal government in May last year. It wants to hit Russian positions and material depots far behind the front line.
In October, Chancellor Scholz temporarily rejected a delivery. The fear behind this is that the missiles could hit Russian territory and Germany could be drawn into the conflict. Today the Bundestag is dealing with the issue.
“The danger is there, the danger is great”
Klitschko emphasized again that Ukraine is fighting not only for its own existence, but also for Europe. “Everyone must understand: We defend each of you. Putin goes as far as we allow him to go. The danger is there, the danger is great.”
Kiev’s mayor expressed his appreciation that Germany is now doing a lot for Ukraine in terms of military aid. “Germany has finally woken up and is helping us a lot,” he said. But more help is needed. “We fight for you and we defend you and everyone has to understand that too,” he said. “It would be a huge mistake to think that the war is far away, that doesn’t affect me.”
“We can’t lose”
The former boxing world champion also appealed to all other allies to continue to support Ukraine. “Each finger is pretty strong. But when all the fingers come together, we become tens of times stronger.” He described the impasse in the US Congress over approving further military aid for Ukraine as a “huge danger to democracy.” “We must not lose. Otherwise the entire democratic world will lose.”