Russian lawmakers urge German counterparts to investigate intentions to use Taurus missiles

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian lawmakers adopted on Tuesday a petition urging counterparts in the German parliament to hold an investigation on leaked conversations between German Air Force officers about supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine and using them against Russia.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the head of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, said in a statement on Telegram that everyone needs to understand that providing Ukraine with this type of weapons "will have the most severe consequences for the Germans themselves."

Deputies in federal parliament Bundestag representing the interests of German citizens should be aware of the "impending crimes" of their military and political leadership and do everything to prevent a tragedy, Volodin said.

"The State Duma calls on the Bundestag to conduct an objective investigation and prevent actions involving the country in an armed conflict on the side of the Nazi Ukrainian regime," he said.

Germany, the second-biggest donor of military aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, has faced criticism after the recent leak of conversations between air force officers about supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Potential strategies of using them against Russia were discussed, such as providing satellite intelligence through third parties rather than direct German involvement.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far resisted calls to supply the Taurus missiles to Kyiv, fearing an international escalation of the conflict that began in February 2022.