Bundestag turns down resolution on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine
German PS opposed the Christian Democratic bloc to demand that the government transfer Taurus strategic missiles to Ukraine.
The roll call vote took place on Wednesday evening after a discussion. 178 deputies voted in favor, 485 voted against, and three abstained. According to Spiegel, the resolution was not supported by deputies from the German Greens and the Free Democratic Party, despite their calls for providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
The representative of the CDU/CSU faction, who brought the motion to the floor, Kerstin Feregghe, called on her fellow MPs to support the request to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, noting that "Ukraine and the whole of Europe will thank you for it."
"Deliveries of Tauruses are possible and necessary."
Deputies from other parties took part in the debate. The ruling coalition tried not to bring up the missiles, while representatives of the right and left strongly opposed them and once again spoke about the "impossibility of defeating a nuclear power," the criminality of using German weapons against Russians, and the "need for peace talks."
Before the debate began, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promised that Germany would support its Ukrainian partners as long as necessary and reminded that Chancellor Scholz had called on all allies in Europe to step up their assistance.
The minister said "Russia's war is not only an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty, it is a serious and obviously long-term threat to Europe." Pistorius warned that "in 2024, things may happen that we did not count on," so Germany is facing major geopolitical and security challenges, and it is necessary to prepare the Bundeswehr to meet these challenges as soon as possible.
If the German parliament supports the idea of supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, it does not automatically mean providing such assistance. The transfer of weapons requires a decision from the government.
Since last year, Ukraine has been requesting missiles from Germany, which are capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 500 kilometers. Such weaponry is crucial for striking Russian rear facilities.
