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The German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock supported the idea of providing Ukraine with long-range missiles for self-defense from the West, despite Chancellor Olaf Scholz holding opposing views.
She stated this during an appearance on the ARD television channel, as quoted by DW. Baerbock emphasized that she has always spoken about the important role long-range missiles play, “especially for overcoming the minefields in eastern Ukraine.”
When asked about the possibility of supplying other types of weapons to Kyiv from Germany, she noted that she has clearly expressed her opinion on this matter, but Scholz has a different position.
“In the coalition—within the democratic coalition—if partners cannot agree on one point, we cannot support it (the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine). Then the Americans, the British, and the French do it,” Baerbock pointed out.
She also reiterated her call for Germany to continue its military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that this support is particularly important given the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House after the elections.
Germany has consistently refused to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, even after the UK, France, and the US supplied their long-range weapons. Notably, on September 21, Scholz once again rejected calls to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
According to The Times, the US and UK are reportedly preparing to grant Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory, but such an announcement will not be public to maintain an element of surprise for Russia.
Later, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that a decision to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western long-range weapons against military targets in Russia could be made before winter.
Read also: Territorial integrity must serve as basis for peace in Ukraine – Swedish foreign minister
