Macron, Scholz: Ukraine can strike some targets in Russia
Macron, Scholz: Ukraine can strike some targets in Russia
The two leaders said they were in lock-step when it came to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. Macron called for Kyiv to be allowed to strike military positions in Russia that were used to attack Ukraine.
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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.
French training personnel in country openly, followed by the Baltics (or vice versa) would make the German standpoint harder and harder to maintain.
While it is an open secret the Brits and French have been in country supporting storm shadow and scalp use.
So who knows.. let's see if the Germans order another batch of Taurus.
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.
Germany needs either a UN or NATO mandate to send troops into Ukraine. Anything else would be unconstitutional.
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.
So, missile launch positions: Okay Amassing troops & gear: Not okay
This is silly. Especially since most missiles are launched by air from far away, not from fixed positions close to the border.