German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday spoke in favor of allowing Ukraine to attack Russian positions inside Russia with Western weapons.
Germany and other countries have made the transfer of weapons to Ukraine subject to strict conditions, such as that they may not be used to attack targets in Russia over fears that would lead to an escalation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Macron visited the western city of Münster, where he was presented with the International Award of the Peace of Westphalia by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Praising Macron as a "passionate European," Steinmeier thanked the French president for his affection for his country's neighbor, saying: "That France and Germany are so close today, is down to people like you."
"Emmanuel Macron is a fighter for freedom, peace and Europe," the jury said, praising in particular the French president's efforts to promote a common European security both before and since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
"Receiving a peace prize in a time of war appeared to me to be a paradox," said Macron in his acceptance speech, before reiterating his calls for a common European defense policy.
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Ofc Ukraine may defend itself! Anyway, here their quote:
"We think that we should allow them to neutralize military sites where missiles are fired, from where ... Ukraine is attacked," Macron said at a joint press conference alongside the German chancellor following talks at Schloss Meseberg near Berlin, the official state guest house of the German Federal Republic.
At the same time, he stressed that "we should not allow them to touch other targets in Russia, and obviously civilian capacities."
I'm a bit disappointed this decision feels wishy-washy and wasn't reached the day after we confirmed Russia was using Iranian weapons in Ukraine, but at the same time, I'm happy it is happening now. (Best time to plant a tree and all!) I commend both France and Germany for taking this step forward!
I wonder if this means Germany will finally send cruise missiles to Ukraine. Their basis for holding back was Ukraine might use them to strike targets in Russia, and that cannot be allowed. But now that they are explicitly stating Ukraine can use donated weapons against Russian military targets.....
Their basis for holding back was Ukraine might use them to strike targets in Russia, and that cannot be allowed..
That was one argument, the other one was that a (German) ground force maintainance crew & training & encoding experts and stuff would be needed.
Regarding sending maintainance crews, the opinions seem more and more positive of late. I'll reckon we'll might see Taurus , and hopefully more of it's friends, being send. Then again, it will also depend on the outcome of the ( EU) elections this year.
It doesn't really matter what other nations do in that regard. The German constitution forbids sending troops without a UN or NATO mandate. it's one of the post WW2 shackles. Besides that I don't think Ukraine even has any compatible platforms anyway, the Gripen might be if Sweden goes through with that one.
But regardless of all that, Taurus should get a new batch order either way to be honest. If there's only such a limited amount in working condition and they're this valuable, then we should probably prepare a little more.
Yes, I forgot Germany has a "diehard" constitution. Tnx for explaining this aspect. That would make it a third argument, or need of an " extra A-okay" mandate.
I also remembered, that big eavesdrop hack scandal while the Taurus issue was internally being discussed with the military brass and ministers. Having that scandal and the discussion " in the open" hasn't helped either.
