Ukraine War: Pistorius reacts skeptically to Merz ‘Taurus plans

The executive defense minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has skeptically commented on the project of the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to deliver Taurus march aircraft to Ukraine in coordination with European partners. At an SPD conference in Hanover, he contradicted representations that he had always been for such a weapon aid: “I never said that.” There are good arguments for the delivery of Taurus, but there are also “many arguments, good arguments against it”. Only part of it could be discussed publicly.

Pistorius also skeptically expressed himself to coordinate with the allies. “I don’t know of a European partner with such a system. Therefore, this is also a thing with the coordination,” said the SPD politician, who will probably remain in a new black and red government.

Great Britain and France have delivered marching missiles

Until yet, Great Britain and France have delivered marching missiles to Ukraine. The Storm Shadow and Scalp, almost identical weapon systems are considered less precise than Taurus and have a significantly lower reach.

Merz had confirmed his willingness to deliver the Taurus rockets on Sunday. “Not that we intervene in this war ourselves, but that we equip the Ukrainian army with such weapons,” he said in the ARD show “Caren Miosga”. However, he always said that he would only do so in coordination with the European partners. “This has to be coordinated, and if it is coordinated, then Germany should participate.”

Scholz rejects Taurus delivery

The outgoing, only managing SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects the delivery of Taurus because he fears that Germany could be drawn into war. The missiles with a range of 500 kilometers can reach destinations in Moscow from Ukraine.