After wiretapping scandal
Taurus debate is becoming increasingly complicated for Scholz
For weeks, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been under pressure to deliver Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. It was only last week that he explained in more detail for the first time why he does not agree to a delivery - albeit at the expense of his allies. A wiretapping scandal further complicates the situation. A classification of the situation.
The debate has become even more confusing since Russia released a recording of a discussion among senior Bundeswehr officers about a possible Taurus deployment.
What do we learn from the recording?
The recording published by a Russian state broadcaster confirms that the decision on the deployment of Taurus cruise missiles is ultimately a political one: German Bundeswehr experts vary in their assessments of the training time required in Ukraine, the necessary interfaces with the aircraft and the provision of data.
But they believe it is feasible to provide a quick solution in three months and a more comprehensive solution for the Taurus deployment in around eight months. Only with longer training could it be assumed that the Ukrainians would be able to handle the system themselves.
It is repeatedly emphasized that this is technically feasible, but that it must be decided politically to what extent Germany should be involved - especially if the Russian Kerch Bridge to the occupied Crimean peninsula were to be attacked. This was a matter of political "red lines". Germany's "some form of involvement" is also assumed by the military, particularly for meaningful, rapid data evaluation for target coordinates. The delivery of 50, perhaps even 100 Taurus cruise missiles, which could also be used against Russian ammunition depots, is considered conceivable.
How much is too much?
According to Scholz, the top priority since the outbreak of the war has been to prevent an escalation of the war between NATO and Russia. Scholz repeated this a few days ago. The debate is complicated by French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Monday in Paris publicly no longer ruled out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine.
In the recording of the German officers published by Russia, there is talk of the British having some experts in Ukraine themselves for the deployment of the "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles, while the French do not. There had already been reports of this weeks ago. There is also talk of civilian personnel in Ukraine "with an American accent".
Scholz put his NATO allies on the spot last week by claiming that British and French troops were actively involved in the operation of long-range missiles in Ukraine, for which he was widely criticized. His statements caused great astonishment in London and Paris.
Germany's worried chancellor
Scholz had already argued in the tank debate in 2023 that, as German Chancellor, he was particularly responsible for Germany's security and had to make decisions accordingly.
The Russian leadership also repeated the comparisons to Nazi Germany in the Taurus debate. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev quotes poems from the Second World War to the effect that it is good to kill German soldiers. This is fueling the German debate because there are warnings of escalation as well as warnings that the Chancellor is "kowtowing" to Russia.
A question of technology
Part of the debate revolves around the assumption that Scholz claimed that Bundeswehr soldiers would have to be deployed for the Taurus mission in Ukraine itself. However, the Chancellor never said this. Speaking to dpa on Monday, he emphasized as a general line that there should be no Bundeswehr soldiers in Ukraine. However, with regard to Taurus, he added: "German soldiers must not be linked to the goals achieved by this system in any place - not even in Germany."
Taurus explained!
- According to the manufacturer, the rocket-shaped Taurus KEPD-350 has a range of up to 500 kilometers, meaning that pilots do not have to enter enemy airspace to fire it.
- The missiles, which are around five meters long and weigh almost 1400 kilograms, are equipped with their own engine and four independent navigation systems.
- In autonomous low-level flight, they should be difficult to hit by enemy air defenses at an altitude of less than 50 meters.
The background to this is that the target data for Taurus could also be controlled from Germany. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has further complicated the debate by cryptically referring to various Taurus systems - which are also used in South Korea, for example - in response to a corresponding question a few days ago.
Incidentally, the deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers in Ukraine would require a parliamentary resolution - unlike in the UK.
What if the Taurus is misused?
On Friday, Scholz emphasized for the first time that Taurus, with a range of 500 kilometers, is a weapon "which, if used incorrectly, can reach a specific target somewhere in Moscow". Alluding to Great Britain and France, he added: "That's why - and I'll put this in all diplomatic abstractness - others have also made sure that they know exactly where what lands."
The Russian recording also mentions that the British are looking at the target data. However, the British "Storm Shadow" and the French "Scalp" can only fly about 250 kilometers and would therefore not reach Moscow. The USA has not yet supplied Ukraine with such long-range cruise missiles either. Scholz always insists on coordination with US President Joe Biden when it comes to new weapons systems.
Ukrainians complain about mistrust on the part of the German chancellor. But in government circles, at least behind closed doors, it is pointed out that it is necessary to think about what might happen in a year or two. Domestic politics in Ukraine are already boiling today. At the very least, it cannot be ruled out that at some point President Volodymyr Zelensky will no longer be in power, but rather a desperate successor who would fire Taurus towards the Kremlin in an emergency. In view of the range of this weapon, this has to be taken into account.
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