Why Germany is reluctant to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine
Olaf Scholz seems determined to defy pressure from Germany’s allies and domestic opposition
FOR MONTHS Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, has resisted domestic and international pressure to supply Ukraine with German-made Taurus cruise missiles, a precise, long-range munition. Desperate to help an increasingly beleaguered Ukraine, some allies have concocted clever schemes to help change Germany’s mind. David Cameron, Britain’s foreign secretary, has hinted his openness to a plan that would see Germany send Taurus missiles to Britain, thus enabling Britain to send more of its Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine. Yet Mr Scholz refuses to budge. What are Taurus missiles—and why is the German government so reluctant to send them to Ukraine?
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