By Anadolu staff
BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday reiterated his opposition to supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, and warned that this could lead to a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
“It’s a decision that I have taken as chancellor, and I stand by it in exactly the same way, that this is not something we can make available at this point in time,” Scholz told a press conference in Munich.
The Social Democrat politician faces criticism from the main opposition Christian Democrats, who accuse the chancellor of making a great mistake, and “playing into the hands of” Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I want to say once again that I will not support any decision that results in German soldiers somehow becoming involved in a military operation in connection with Russia's terrible war against Ukraine,” Scholz told reporters.
“Because we must prevent an escalation, and a war between Russia and NATO. I agree on this with all my friends in Europe, in the US and elsewhere. Everything that needs to be said on this subject has been said,” he added.
Earlier this week, Scholz told media that delivering German-made, long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv would necessitate assigning German soldiers for this mission or deploying them in Ukraine.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked Germany for Taurus cruise missiles, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said last month that Kyiv needs these weapons “not for an attack on Moscow,” but “to destroy the Russian military infrastructure along the frontline on Ukrainian territory.”
The powerful cruise missiles have a range of more than 500 km (310 miles) and are well known for their success in properly targeting objects including bridges, or hard and deeply buried targets, such as command bunkers.