German coalition split over Taurus missile aid to Ukraine
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has come under scrutiny for his inconsistent statements regarding Taurus missiles for Ukraine. A lack of agreement within the ruling coalition is creating tensions, particularly during President Zelensky's visit to Berlin.
What do you need to know?
- Lack of agreement in the coalition: The German government has not yet reached a consensus on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This issue is leading to tensions within the coalition. Many politicians argue that certain details should remain confidential.
- Chancellor Merz's declarations: Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested there are no longer any restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles, which was seen as a shift in Berlin's position.
- Criticism from the CDU: Roderich Kiesewetter of the CDU criticised Merz for his inconsistent statements.
Will Germany provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine?
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has faced criticism for his inconsistent remarks about long-range Taurus missiles for Ukraine. According to Politico, the lack of agreement within the ruling coalition is causing tensions, especially during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin. On Monday, Merz suggested that there are no longer any restrictions on the use of missiles provided to Ukraine by Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
What are the reactions to Merz's declarations?
The Chancellor’s comments were criticised by conservative politician Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU. He mentioned on platform X that there are no indications that Germany would supply Taurus missiles. He noted that the lack of agreement among coalition members makes it challenging to transfer these weapons, which could reach targets up to 500 kilometres away. Kiesewetter emphasised that Merz’s statements do not contribute positively to achieving a unified position.
What are the coalition members' positions?
According to Politico, Merz's words were interpreted as an initial move towards changing Berlin's stance on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, the next day, the Chancellor tempered his statement, suggesting that the Ukrainian army can use foreign weapons to strike military targets beyond Ukraine’s borders. Lars Klingbeil, the finance minister from the SPD, a coalition partner of the CDU, stated that there has been no change in the German government's position, which could spark an internal government dispute.
