NATO chief calls Zelenskyy's criticism of Scholz unfair
Photo: Mark Rutte and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the harsh criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is unjustified, reports Reuters.
Although Germany is a vital ally of Ukraine, its hesitation to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles has been a source of frustration in Kyiv, which faces an adversary armed with a powerful arsenal of long-range weapons.
"I have often told Zelenskiy that he should stop criticizing Olaf Scholz because I think it is unfair," Rutte said in an interview with the DPA news agency.
Rutte also stated that, unlike Scholz, he would supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles and would not impose restrictions on their use.
"In general, we know that such capabilities are very important for Ukraine," Rutte said, adding that it was not up to him to decide what allies should deliver.
Following a phone conversation between Scholz and Vladimir Putin in November, Zelenskyy stated that it had opened a Pandora's box, undermining efforts to isolate Putin and achieve a "fair peace" to end the war in Ukraine.
Germany's assistance
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany has become one of Ukraine's key partners, providing diverse forms of support.
Germany has actively helped Ukraine strengthen its defense capabilities by supplying modern weaponry, including:
- Anti-aircraft systems such as IRIS-T;
- Self-propelled artillery units like the PzH 2000;
- Leopard 2 tanks;
- Armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers;
- Air defense equipment;
- Reconnaissance drones and kamikaze drones;
- Ammunition, spare parts, and other equipment.
