Kyiv [Ukraine], April 15: European officials on Monday responded positively to comments by Germany's incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz on deliveries of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
During his time in opposition, Merz openly supported the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine - a possibility that outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently ruled out, citing fears that it would draw Germany into the war.
The conservative Merz, who is set to take office as Germany's next chancellor in May, said on Sunday that his position still stands.
Merz told the ARD public broadcaster that he does not want Germany to intervene in the war, but that Berlin should equip the Ukrainian military with weapons such as the Taurus missiles. He added that he would only grant such a shipment in coordination with European partners.
European politicians, gathered for an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, welcomed Merz's comments.
Asked about the possibility of Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said: "Of course every member state is giving what they can give."
"But I think the message is very clear, we need to do more so that Ukraine can defend itself and the civilians don't have to die," Kallas said.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said it is very important for Germany to supply Taurus missiles. "I think that would be a very important signal of where Europe stands in this situation," he said.
His Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski called Merz's offer "very good."
Source: Qatar Tribune
