Bundestag votes on recommendation to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The Bundestag supported a resolution recommending the German government to start supplying long-range missiles Taurus to Ukraine, states Ukrainian MP Yehor Cherniev, who was present at the voting.
"Just now, the Bundestag voted in favor of recommending to provide Ukraine with long-range systems for conducting 'precision strikes deep in the rear of the Russian aggressor.' That is, Taurus," Cherniev writes on Facebook.
He explains that the resolution was brought for consideration to the Bundestag by deputies from the ruling coalition. A similar call from opposition deputies was rejected earlier today.
"The decision lies with Scholz. We are gradually raising the stakes to achieve results," the MP adds.
As Cherniev clarifies, the text of the resolution includes the phrase "long-range weapons," but there is no specific mention of Taurus. However, according to him, Germany does not have any other missiles that can strike "targets deep in the rear of the Russian aggressor," as stated in the document.
Background
Ukraine has been asking Germany to start supplying long-range Taurus missiles capable of destroying targets up to 500 kilometers away since last year.
However, the German government refuses to transfer such weaponry. According to media reports, Chancellor Olaf Scholz himself is against it. He is concerned that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could use German missiles to strike Russian territory, which would "make Germany a party to the conflict."
On Monday, February 19, German media reported that the ruling coalition in the Bundestag was preparing a call to the government to transfer long-range missiles to Ukraine. However, there was no mention of Taurus specifically in the document.
