Schmidt questioned on arms Taurus and Russia limits

May 31, 2024

Ulrich Lechte and Marcus Faber press Schmidt on Taurus or alternative long-range weapons and Parliament's request for systems able to disrupt Russian supply lines. Schmidt maintains the government's existing stance, says Germany must not become a war party and rejects the suggested use of German long-range weapons deep inside Russia. He cites the published deliveries list and Pistorius's nearly €500 million package announced during an Odesa visit, including weapons and ammunition, and stresses Ukrainian gratitude for air defence. He rejects Martin Sichert's assertion about German missiles striking Russia and attributes the war to Putin. In complete follow-ups by Röwekamp, Güler and Hoppenstedt, he defends the Chancellor's pace, refuses details of confidential agreements and ultimately explains the changed authorization by attacks on Kharkiv launched from Russian territory and close allied consultation. He argues operational details should not be publicly exposed; this is not a new blanket authorization for strikes anywhere in Russia.

Germany authorizes Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against Russian positions supporting attacks on Kharkiv from the adjacent border region. In the June 5 sitting, Krämer welcomes the change; Pistorius refers to the existing announcement, declines operational details and distinguishes international-law self-defence from bilateral long-range restrictions. Schmidt explains the cross-border attacks and allied consultation while maintaining that German long-range strikes deep inside Russia are not the government's position. The broadcast does not establish blanket permission throughout Russia.