Ukraine is unlikely to receive Taurus missiles as long as Scholz is chancellor — analyst Umland

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"As long as Scholz is chancellor of Germany, it is unlikely that a positive decision on the Taurus will be made. Because he has already made many statements that Germany will not transfer this weapon to Ukraine. There is no way for Scholz to turn around and take a different course on this issue. German Foreign Minister Baerbock does not have the last word on Taurus, this issue is decided exclusively by the Chancellor. I do not think that Baerbock's visit to Kyiv will resolve this issue," Umland explained. 

According to the analyst at the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies, it is possible to imagine the scheme proposed by the UK.

"For the Taurus to be transferred to the UK, and then the UK will transfer its similar Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. But it is unlikely that German Taurus will appear in Ukraine," Umland added. 

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz laughed when explaining why he was against supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. This caused public outrage.
• UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps believes that first of all, partners, including Germany, should provide Ukraine with long-range weapons and allow them to be used in Crimea.