Who in Germany is blocking Taurus missiles for Ukraine and what could they change in war?

In just two years, Germany has become the main European supplier of weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, leaving behind all countries except the USA. This image though is still tarnished by Berlin's refusal to send the unique long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Read more about why Ukraine needs these missiles, whether they are truly unique, and how Russia and Western partners are trying to influence Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in the interview by Sergiy Sydorenko, European Pravda's editor, with Yehor Chernev.

Chernev is a member of parliament and head of the Ukrainian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, one of the key lobbyists for Taurus missiles to Ukraine in recent months. Taurus characteristics are indeed impressive. Taurus was developed as an "anti-bunker" missile, meaning its task was to hit bunkers and concrete structures.

The missile has two warheads and is capable of penetrating several floors underground and exploding at a programmed moment. This also means that the missile is capable of destroying the pillars of the so-called Crimean Bridge. Unfortunately, it must be understood that the effectiveness of its use is reduced because the Russians have used the time while we are requesting these missiles.

They are now building a railway along the Sea of Azov to supply not only through Crimea. The Ukrainian Armed Forces currently have long-range weapons - the USA supplies ATACMS, the UK and France send Storm Shadow/SCALP. But Taurus is still special.

In addition to its armour-piercing capability, their flight range is no less than 500 kilometers. This is much more than Storm Shadow or SCALP. And even ATACMS, which the USA gave us, has a range of 165 km, not 300 as we requested.

This long-range capability, however, is one of the reasons why they are not giving us this weapon: allegedly, Berlin is concerned that we might strike Moscow. We always emphasise very clearly: we will not use Western weapons against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation. And we constantly "pass this test" successfully.

Sending Taurus missiles would allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to take full control over the entire territory of Crimea, which is currently used by Russian troops as a logistical hub for supplying the entire Southern direction. The decision on Taurus is being blocked by a single person - Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. All representatives of the German establishment confirm this.

One can only guess what he guides him in this case. After all, all the versions, voiced by Scholz, are not true. And there have been many of these versions.

In my opinion, the point is that Scholz belongs to the generation of pacifists. Every decision to provide a new type of weapon is tough for him. I believe that eventually Ukraine will receive Taurus. But the Kremlin is really afraid of deliveries of these missiles.

This is also related to the recent history when Russia leaked to the media intercepted conversation of German generals.

Essentially, we are now witnessing a "fight for Germany", where on one side is the Kremlin, and on the other - the UK and France, which are raising tensions.

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