Scholz warns against TAURUS missile transfers, calling it “Russian roulette” with Germany’s security

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his first election campaign speech, described Ukraine's request for German long-range TAURUS missiles as "a game of Russian roulette with Germany's security."

The statement was quoted by Tagesspiegel and reported by Rubryka.

In his speech, Scholz criticized former Finance Minister Christian Lindner, linking his dismissal to proposals for providing Ukraine with TAURUS missiles. Scholz argued that Germany does not need "gamblers or gambling games" and accused Lindner and his party of "systematically sabotaging" the coalition government's work for months.

The Chancellor reaffirmed his firm and cautious stance on the matter, contrasting it with his rival Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Scholz accused Merz of "playing Russian roulette with Germany's security" by pledging to send German missiles to Ukraine.

Merz, however, had clarified that he would only supply TAURUS missiles under specific conditions if he became Chancellor. He proposed first demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin cease attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets. If Russia refused, Merz suggested lifting restrictions on the use of previously supplied weapons before considering the transfer of German long-range missiles.

Ukraine officially requested TAURUS long-range cruise missiles from Germany on May 27, 2023. In November, MBDA, the company behind Taurus Systems, announced it could quickly increase missile production and incorporate new technological advancements if necessary.

Despite this, German lawmakers rejected an opposition proposal to pressure the government into supplying TAURUS missiles to Ukraine.