German lawmakers urged the government to provide additional long-range weapons to Ukraine, though they rejected a specific proposal to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Germany ranks as the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine after the United States. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged other European nations to increase weapons deliveries. This year, Germany plans to allocate over 7 billion euros for weapons shipments to Ukraine, including air-defense systems, tanks, and armored personnel carriers. Scholz recently signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Scholz has delayed a decision on Ukraine’s request for Taurus missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometers. He has not definitively ruled out their delivery, causing frustration among the opposition and some within his coalition. Scholz aims to support Ukraine without escalating the conflict or involving NATO.
The opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, criticized the government for not providing Ukraine with the necessary materials to effectively repel the Russian aggression. A motion proposed by coalition parties emphasized ongoing military support for Ukraine, including the delivery of additional long-range weapons systems and ammunition. The formulation of the motion allowed for differing interpretations regarding the inclusion of Taurus missiles. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declined to clarify whether Taurus missiles were included in the motion. He highlighted Germany’s contributions to Ukraine’s defense efforts at international conferences and criticized the opposition’s stance.
Prominent lawmaker Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann expressed regret that the motion was not more specific. She emphasized the urgency of Ukraine’s needs and stressed Germany’s favorable position in international comparisons. The motion proposed by the governing parties passed with a significant majority, while a separate opposition motion advocating for the prompt delivery of all requested weapons systems, including Taurus missiles, was defeated.
