German coalition parties challenge Scholz's stance on Ukraine arms aid

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a member of the liberal FDP and chair of the Bundestag's defense committee, emphasized in discussions with the media that Scholz was mistaken when he claimed that Bundeswehr soldiers would have to go to Ukraine to prepare this weapon for use. Strack-Zimmermann explained that "in this case, programming could be carried out in Germany, or Ukrainian soldiers could be trained here."

Strack-Zimmermann also disagreed with Scholz's concerns that Ukraine could reprogram the Taurus missiles to attack targets inside Russia. Scholz repeatedly stressed that an attack on Russian territory could make Germany a party to the war. "I think it's a pretext," Strack-Zimmermann noted, challenging the chancellor's arguments.

The criticism of the chancellor's decision also came from the deputy leader of the Greens in the Bundestag, Katrin Goering-Eckardt. "No one who is demanding Taurus missiles for Ukraine wants Germany to become a party to the war," she stressed, expressing her position.

Goering-Eckardt added that "for peace in Europe and beyond, it is essential that Ukraine wins this defensive war. The greatest threat to Ukraine and the security of Germany remains that Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains an advantage, continuing his imperialist campaign."

The Taurus missiles are among the most modern weapons that the Bundeswehr owns. Scholz had already decided at the beginning of October last year that Germany would not be providing Tauruses to Ukraine, fearing they might reach targets inside Russia. The Ukrainian side has repeatedly asked Berlin to supply Taurus missiles, but so far their requests have remained unanswered.