Berlin will not lift restrictions on its more advanced weaponry, even if Kiev’s other allies do, the German chancellor has said
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that Germany will not allow its long-range weapons to be used in Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia, even if other countries choose to do so.
Washington and London have indicated that they might permit Ukraine to use missiles such as the American-made ATACMS and the British-made Storm Shadow to target deep within Russia.
Scholz confirmed on Saturday during a Q&A session in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, that Berlin maintains its policy of prohibiting Ukraine from using German-supplied long-range weapons for such attacks.
“I’m sticking to my stance, even if other countries decide differently,” Scholz said. “I won’t do that because I think it’s a problem.”
Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the US. According to data from the Federal Government website, Berlin has provided or pledged over €28 billion ($31 billion) in lethal aid to Kiev since the start of the conflict with Russia.
However, Berlin has so far declined to follow the UK and France’s example in supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles. In May, Scholz explained that providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 km (310 miles), would constitute Berlin’s direct involvement in the conflict.
“It would only be tenable to deliver [these weapons] if we determine and define the targets ourselves, and that is again not possible if you don’t want to be part of this conflict,” he emphasized.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Western powers against further escalating the hostilities. “We are not talking about allowing or prohibiting the Kiev regime from striking Russian territory,” Putin explained, noting that Ukraine was already doing so.
Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles have been used by Ukraine to strike targets in Crimea and the Donbass – Russian territories that Kiev claims as its own – leading to multiple civilian casualties.
Putin asserted that Kiev lacks the ability to independently use Western long-range systems.
Targeting for such strikes depends on intelligence from NATO satellites, while firing solutions can “only be entered by NATO military personnel.”
“This will mean that NATO countries, the US, European countries are fighting against Russia,” Putin stressed. Such direct participation would alter “the very essence, the very nature of the conflict”, meaning Russia would have to “make the appropriate decisions on the threats,” the Russian leader cautioned.
In June, Putin pledged that Moscow would shoot down any missiles used in long-range strikes, and retaliate against those responsible. One possible response would be to send similar high-tech weaponry to forces that are in conflict with the West.