MOSCOW, March 2, Viktor Zhdanov. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refuses to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine because he does not want a direct conflict with Russia. At the same time, the head of the German government “abused intelligence data,” which outraged Kyiv’s closest partners. About the enmity in the camp of the allies — in the material.
Betrayal of the ChancellorThe range of the Taurus is 500 kilometers. These air-to-ground cruise missiles are capable of reaching Moscow. To avoid such a risky scenario, German military personnel must be sent to Ukraine. “What the British and French are doing in terms of target control and supporting target control cannot be done from Germany,” Scholz explained.
German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter with two Taurus cruise missiles
However, neither the British nor the French authorities would ever do this not confirmed. Handelsblatt previously reported: London asked Berlin to sell the Taurus. Probably for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius claims that he knows nothing about this.
The chairman of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, Alicia Kearns, called Scholz's words «a slap in the face to allies.» The former head of the British Parliament's military committee, Tobias Ellwood, said there was a «blatant misuse of intelligence.» Ben Wallace, who headed the Ministry of Defense from 2019 to 2023, was also indignant.
Western media indicate that the Chancellor put British personnel in Ukraine at risk. London admits that a “small number” of British people are indeed there, but only to ensure diplomatic security and training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
And Scholz’s relationship with Macron is gradually developing into hostility. The French President allows Western troops to be sent to Ukraine. The Chancellor absolutely excludes this.
French President Emmanuel Macron during French army exercises in a military camp near Reims
German officials complain that Macron, while ardently supporting Kyiv in words, does not really do anything — unlike Scholz. According to the Kiel Institute, France sent military aid worth 640 million euros, Germany — 17.7 billion.
Between two fires, Berlin’s position is not becoming more moderate, emphasizes in a conversation with political scientist Alexei Makarkin. But they understand perfectly well that the decision on the use of German missiles will be made in Kyiv. So they are being cautious.
“The question arises: who should answer? This is an exorbitant risk,” says the expert.
Flags of Germany, Ukraine and the EU in Berlin
The main opposition force in the German parliament, the Christian Democratic Union , demands that deliveries begin immediately. The Left and Sarah Wagenknecht's party believe it is time to stimulate negotiations. Scholz is criticized from all sides.
In addition, the Chancellor will have to resolve the issue with the coalition in the face of a drop in his own rating. He also gets it for his economic problems. The issue of changing the head of government will be raised more and more often, Makarkin concludes.
At the same time, there is no unanimity in the European Union on all issues related to the conflict in Ukraine. Denis Denisov, an expert at the Financial University under the Russian government, sees what is happening now as yet another tactical escalation between pronounced “hawks”.
Pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London 
«For Great Britain, this is a strategic approach to the confrontation with Russia, actually recorded in some doctrinal documents. At the same time, Macron makes statements as a politician counting on serious electoral benefits from a radical position,» — the political scientist emphasizes.
Scholz has his own motives. First of all, financial ones. According to Denisov, here additional costs are perceived as a transfer of US responsibilities and obligations to Europe. Berlin is clearly aware that Washington wants to place the main burden of supporting Kyiv with both arms and money on its allies.