What is scared by Scholtz: How is the caution of German Chancellor Solve Putin's hands
It is anxious that German Chancellor Olaf Solz gives Putin the reason to think that his tactics are working. After a few months, Scholtz delayed Ukraine's request to the German Taurus Sagittari Rocket System. This decision reflects the political sensitivity of Scholz and the overall concern of Germany about the escalation of conflict with Russia. However, by sowing confusion and repeling the Allies, the Scholz approach to this issue is likely to add Putin's courage and jeopardize Europe.
Taurus missiles will undoubtedly increase Ukraine's ability to strike on Russian supply lines and better protect against attacks on cities and vital infrastructure that the country faces again. Similar winged rockets for a long range - British Storm Shadow and French Scalp - have proven high efficiency, in particular, contributing to the destruction of about a third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The limited amount and high cost of a unit of production forced Ukraine to normalize their use.
Taurus will increase this stock, offers a comparable or greater range of action - and it is a weapon that is very resistant to attempts to detect and set obstacles. Sholtz argued that the departure of missiles would require the referral of German soldiers to Ukraine - a statement challenged by members of his own coalition and some military.
The leakage of the conversations of German Air Force officers about the Taurus (drawn through the dangerous line by Webex and published by Russia), as well as the chats of Scholz himself caused the anger of the closest allies of Germany. Meanwhile, Scholz rejected the British offers to send more Storm Shadow and replenish the British reserves with Taurus rockets.
This may be due to the fears that the distribution of the weapons and data systems on which they rely will undermine the already reduced capabilities of the Bundeswehr, the Armed Forces of Germany. The recently published annual report on the status of the Armed Forces revealed a worry shortage of personnel and weapons, as well as the lack of management and training.
These shortcomings indicate that it is necessary to pay more attention to the solution of the problem of weak investing in Germany in its armed forces, while finding ways to guarantee that Ukraine will be able to obtain complex weapons systems it needs. But Scholz's fear of escalation became the main driving force of Germany.
Although, after the Russian invasion of 2022, the Chancellor has applauded for the advertisement of "ZeitenWende" or "turning point" in foreign policy, he seems to be more interested in raising the falling ratings of his party lately, playing in pacifist moods among the German segments. Honestly, the Scholz government has also gone a long way over the last two years.
Germany has provided Ukraine with Leopard tanks last year and is now the second largest military equipment supplier to Kiev after the United States. It has accepted more than a million Ukrainian refugees. This month, Germany has announced military support for another 500 million euros, including artillery shells and armored vehicles. It should be welcomed. But, given its size and geopolitical importance, Germany strikes much weaker than its weight.
The supply of weapons systems goes slowly and too small. Among NATO members, it ranks only 11th for military aid as a percentage of gross domestic product and 16th place on financial liabilities as a percentage of GDP. As the US Congress blocks additional military assistance to Ukraine, it is extremely important for Germany to play a more assertive role. Berlin should work with the governments of other European countries to deliver more weapons to the forefront.
Ukraine is more than anyone, it also needs that it has, starting with ammunition, but also including planes, tanks and high-precision managed missiles. Sholtz should continue meeting with Polish and French leaders and offer specific measures to strengthen Europe's defense, restore exhausted armed forces and transfer sufficient support to Ukraine. To do this, it must be acknowledged that, being the largest economy of Europe, Germany can no longer rely on Washington, which is stuck in a dead end.
First of all, those who want peace for Ukraine and Europe should first be ready to show Putin that he will not be able to win. The fact that this war is existential for Ukraine has become apparent since February 2022. The inability to firmly withstand Russian aggression will be a mistake that Germany - and Europe in general - will regret. The author expresses a personal opinion that may not coincide with the editorial position. The author is responsible for published data in the "Thought" section.