Traffic light dispute over Taurus deliveries: This is how the German press reacts

The traffic light coalition continues to have difficulty finding a common line on the possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. And this despite the fact that the coalition factions want to submit a joint motion to the Bundestag this Thursday for further support for Ukraine attacked by Russia. Kiev had already made an official request to the federal government in May for the delivery of cruise missiles with high accuracy and a range of 500 kilometers.

The submission by the three parliamentary group leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP for the Bundestag proposal calls for “the delivery of additionally required long-range weapon systems and ammunition”. This should enable Ukraine to “enable targeted attacks in accordance with international law on strategically relevant targets far to the rear of the Russian aggressor.”

This is what the German press says about the latest traffic light dispute:

“What other than Taurus should be meant by ‘additionally required long-range weapon systems’?”

“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “Unlike in previous cases of hesitant provision of urgently needed weapons, the Chancellery will soon be fighting a losing battle in the dispute over Taurus cruise missiles. (…) The SPD was able to use the word ‘Taurus’ in a (…) act of hair-splitting from a joint proposal with the FDP and the Greens in the Bundestag, but what other than Taurus should be meant by ‘additionally required long-range weapon systems’ with which Ukraine could carry out ‘targeted attacks in accordance with international law on strategically relevant targets far in the rear area of ​​the Russian aggressor’? (… ) Whatever the outcome of the votes (…), after that the Chancellor stands against the (…) broad center of parliament. (…) The German trials and tribulations in the Taurus Theater – they are all of little use to Ukraine (…).”

“Munich Merkur”: “Is this a government or just a caricature of it? The Chancellor’s authority in the traffic light coalition is disintegrating at a breathtaking pace. Parts of the FDP announce that they will vote with the Union in the Bundestag for the Taurus delivery to Kiev. An outrageous incident and an affront to Olaf Scholz. At the same time, the Greens are blocking the federal law on payment cards for asylum seekers agreed with the SPD and FDP. And SPD parliamentary group leader Mützenich snubs his own chancellor and the FDP by putting the lifting of the debt brake, which both rejected, on the agenda. No matter whether it is asylum, the budget, defense or the economy, there is disruption everywhere. While a war is raging next door in Europe and the economy is in decline, the chaos in the government is becoming a risk to security and prosperity. The Chancellor is faced with the ruins of his politics – and soon probably also of his government.”

“Augsburger Allgemeine”: “In fact, the MPs’ demand builds the necessary bridge for the head of government to a decision that he has long rejected: the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Scholz has so far hesitated to hand over the high-precision missiles with the long range to Kiev. He fears Putin could see their possible use against targets on Russian territory as crossing a red line. But it has now become clear that it was a mistake for the West not to provide Ukraine with more comprehensive support against the aggressor. If Putin is not stopped there, other countries could become the target of his imperialist desires.”

“Scholz has hesitated long enough now”

“Nuremberger Zeitung”: “Shadow Defense Minister Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is threatening to agree to a similar Union proposal that contains the T-word. Does that have to be the case? It can be said favorably that both proposals are a step in the right direction, as the Russian armed forces are apparently achieving more and more success in trench warfare at the front thanks to functioning supply routes. Therefore, these paths must be disrupted, because Russia cannot be allowed to win this war. Scholz has hesitated long enough.”

“Pforzheimer Zeitung”: “The request from the traffic light factions to significantly expand support for Ukraine is, at first glance, embarrassing for Olaf Scholz. He makes the Chancellor seem like the proverbial dog who has to be carried to hunt. But the demand from MPs from the SPD, Greens and FDP actually provides the head of government with the necessary bridge to a decision that he has long rejected: the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Scholz apparently fears that their possible use against targets on Russian territory could be seen by Putin as crossing a red line and, from Russia’s perspective, turn Germany into a warring party. But if Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, other countries could become targets of his imperialist desires.”

“Märkische Oderzeitung”: “With their request for more arms deliveries to Ukraine, the traffic light factions are trying to steer a long-standing dispute, particularly with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), into sensible channels. While Scholz is slowing down, some MPs want a lot more, the rest are positioned somewhere in between. And so even the ongoing topic of the Taurus cruise missile finds its way into the application without the name of the system being explicitly mentioned. That still leaves a back door open for Scholz, such as a ring swap in which Germany delivers Taurus to France and Great Britain and the two countries deliver their cruise missiles to Ukraine.”

“To take complete risks would be fatal”

“New Osnabrücker Zeitung”: “But for what? So that Crimea and the other occupied territories are liberated from the Russians again? There are strategists in Berlin who believe in this. Like the Ukrainian president. That would also be desirable. But that is a misconception, like that recent successes of the Russian army show. There is already a shortage of Ukrainian soldiers. The losses are too high. In addition, Putin has converted his country to a war economy. The West should therefore finally understand that a lot would be gained if Ukraine does not lose this war of attrition “To take full risks would be fatal.”

“Badish newspaper”: “But the hesitation over the Taurus seems strange. (…) The possibility that Ukraine is attacking Russian territory can be ruled out. Kiev is dependent on further help. But the Taurus question has long been about domestic politics. The SPD and its Chancellor should give in, which is probably only possible if the USA supplies similar weapons to save face. (…) The FDP, in turn, wants to use the vote in the Bundestag to demonstrate their traffic light frustration, and their leading European candidate and the Union vote for Taurus deliveries. But a coalition crisis is useful Nothing about Ukraine either.”