German Bundestag rejects proposal to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine
Most deputies in the Bundestag dismissed a resolution from the opposition urging the government to dispatch long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This decision came a day after Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his opposition to the move.
11:35 AM EDT, March 14, 2024
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The Christian Democratic opposition was advocating for Olaf Scholz's administration to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Nonetheless, their motion was defeated, garnering support from only 190 parliamentarians, while 495 voted against it.
Last November, the CDU/CSU had already approached the parliament with a request to send cruise missiles to Ukraine, which was similarly turned down.
This attempt also faced slim odds of success. Despite some members of the ruling coalition, particularly from the Greens and the FDP, favoring support for Ukraine, coalition discipline prevailed. Yet, a few politicians from within the government ranks endorsed the Christian Democrats' proposition.
During the debate, Johann Wadephul of the CDU highlighted that Ukraine is depleting its ammunition supplies, and delays in weapons shipments are undermining the nation's defense against Russia. He criticized Germany's reluctance to offer aid from the onset.
Rolf Mützenich, leader of the SPD parliamentary group, countered by stating that Germany ranks second only to the USA in supporting Ukraine. This support includes not only military aid but also humanitarian efforts like welcoming refugees. He cautioned, however, that further arms deliveries might escalate the conflict.
Scholz draws a line
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also weighed in on the topic, affirming that there would be no delivery of long-range weapons systems, which would be viable only if they necessitated the deployment of German soldiers on Ukrainian soil.
- “This is a red line I, as chancellor, will not cross,” he asserted.
