NATO chief urges Zelensky to ease criticism on German aid
Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, admitted in an interview with the DPA agency that, in his opinion, the President of Ukraine unfairly criticized Olaf Scholz. "I have often told Zelenskyy that he should stop criticising Olaf Scholz, because I think it is unfair," he stated.
Germany plays a key role as an ally of Ukraine; however, Berlin's decision to refuse to supply Kyiv with Taurus long-range missiles has caused frustration among Ukrainian authorities. For this reason, the German chancellor has been repeatedly criticized by Ukrainian leaders.
Rutte noted that, unlike Scholz, he himself would supply these missiles to Ukraine and would not set restrictions on potential targets.
"In general, we know that such capabilities are very important for Ukraine," stated Rutte, emphasizing that it is not the role of the NATO Secretary General to determine what weapons allies should supply to Ukraine.
Controversies surrounding Scholz's conversation with Putin
Let us recall that Ukraine requested the supply of Taurus missiles in the spring of 2023. In early December 2024, the Bundestag debated a motion submitted by the liberal FDP calling for supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. One of the Christian Democratic politicians, Thomas Erndl, described Scholz as the "fearful chancellor" and a "threat to Germany's national security."
Zelensky criticized Scholz not only for Taurus missiles. In November, after a phone conversation between Scholz and Vladimir Putin, Zelensky accused the German chancellor of opening Pandora's box and undermining efforts to isolate the Russian leader and end the war with a "just peace."
