German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed Berlin's refusal to send long-range missiles to Ukraine, even as other Western powers discussed the possibility of Kiev having greater freedom to use such weapons, AFP reported, quoted by dariknews.bg .
“Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision will not change”, said Scholz, when asked about the issue at a press conference.
The leaders of the United States and Britain were due to meet on September 13 in Washington to discuss whether to allow Kiev to fire Western-supplied long-range missiles at Russia, an option that has raised tensions with Moscow.< br />
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to President Joe Biden comes as Kiev increasingly pushes for permission to use the weapons and secure Western help to shoot down Russian missiles and drones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that giving Ukraine the green light to use long-range weapons would mean NATO is “at war” with Moscow.
The United States and Great Britain provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, respectively.
However, Germany has repeatedly refused to send its long-range “Taurus” missiles to Kiev. due to fears of an escalation of the conflict.
Asked about the talks in Washington, Scholz's spokesman Steffen Hebestritt said that "the weapons that the US and Britain are currently discussing are more far-reaching than any that Germany has supplied.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that what the United States and Great Britain agree on “remains their business”.
He also added that allowing Ukraine to strike targets in Russia would be “fully in line with international law”.
Germany is the second largest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, but plans to cut its aid budget in half next year.
Scholz is under domestic pressure on the issue, as parties opposed to Berlin's support for Kiev made significant gains in key regional elections in early September.
However, the government insists it is fully committed to supporting Ukraine “for as long as necessary”.
“Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision will not change”, said Scholz, when asked about the issue at a press conference.
The leaders of the United States and Britain were due to meet on September 13 in Washington to discuss whether to allow Kiev to fire Western-supplied long-range missiles at Russia, an option that has raised tensions with Moscow.< br />
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to President Joe Biden comes as Kiev increasingly pushes for permission to use the weapons and secure Western help to shoot down Russian missiles and drones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that giving Ukraine the green light to use long-range weapons would mean NATO is “at war” with Moscow.
The United States and Great Britain provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, respectively.
However, Germany has repeatedly refused to send its long-range “Taurus” missiles to Kiev. due to fears of an escalation of the conflict.
Asked about the talks in Washington, Scholz's spokesman Steffen Hebestritt said that "the weapons that the US and Britain are currently discussing are more far-reaching than any that Germany has supplied.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that what the United States and Great Britain agree on “remains their business”.
He also added that allowing Ukraine to strike targets in Russia would be “fully in line with international law”.
Germany is the second largest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, but plans to cut its aid budget in half next year.
Scholz is under domestic pressure on the issue, as parties opposed to Berlin's support for Kiev made significant gains in key regional elections in early September.
However, the government insists it is fully committed to supporting Ukraine “for as long as necessary”.