German coalition divided over Taurus missiles for Ukraine
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under criticism for inconsistent statements regarding the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This lack of agreement within the ruling coalition is creating tension, particularly during President Zelensky's visit to Berlin.
What do you need to know?
- Lack of agreement in the coalition: The German government has not yet reached a consensus on delivering Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This issue is causing tensions within the coalition. Many politicians argue that such sensitive circumstances should not be disclosed to the public.
- Chancellor Merz's declarations: Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that there are no longer any restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles, an interpretation seen as a shift in Berlin's stance.
- Criticism from the CDU: Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU criticized Merz for making inconsistent statements.
Will Germany provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine?
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing criticism for his inconsistent statements about providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. According to Politico, the lack of consensus within the ruling coalition is causing tension, especially during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin. On Monday, Merz suggested that there are no longer any restrictions on the use of missiles provided to Ukraine by Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
What are the reactions to Merz's declarations?
The Chancellor's statements received criticism from conservative politician Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU. He commented on platform X that there are no signs Germany would supply Taurus missiles. He highlighted that the lack of agreement among coalition members makes it difficult to transfer this weapon, which could reach targets up to 310 miles away. Kiesewetter emphasized that Merz's statements do not aid in reaching a common position.
What are the coalition members' positions?
According to Politico, Merz's words were perceived as the first step toward changing Berlin's stance on providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, the next day, the Chancellor moderated his declaration, suggesting that the Ukrainian army could use foreign weapons to strike military targets outside Ukraine's borders. Lars Klingbeil, the finance minister from the SPD, a coalition partner of the CDU, stated that there has been no change in the German government's position, which could lead to an internal government dispute.
