05:31German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition to supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that the necessary deployment of soldiers, even 'outside of Ukraine' were a 'limit' that he would not cross, during a parliamentary session in Berlin on Wednesday.
"To me, it is impossible to supply far-reaching weapon systems that can only be sensibly delivered if they are also associated with the deployment of German soldiers outside of Ukraine," he said. "That is a limit that I as Chancellor do not want to cross and that is why I have decided and presented my position on this issue as you know it, I believe we must ensure that there is no involvement of German soldiers when delivering weapons."
He also thanked MPs for allowing him 'to address a collection of half-truths that are being spread in public discussions, creating a false impression'
"I've made this statement repeatedly, and I reiterate it here. The issue at hand is not whether it's being used in Ukraine or whether the operational planning, including target selection, is taking place in Germany," he said, referring to the recent media storm he triggered by claiming the UK and France were doing the same.
"The key point is the participation in deciding where the missile is launched and where it strikes, and German soldiers should not be involved in that," Scholz continued. "As Chancellor, I have the responsibility to prevent Germany from getting entangled in this war, a view shared by all other responsible leaders in Europe and NATO."
Scholz has repeatedly ruled out sending Taurus to Ukraine, citing concerns about 'escalation' of the conflict and the need for German troops on the ground.
Earlier this week the chancellor also stated his opposition to supplying the weaponry, but avoided directly commenting on a potential 'ring exchange' proposed by the UK, which would see Taurus delivered to London and additional Storm Shadows sent from the UK to Ukraine - which his foreign minister said was an 'option'.
The German leader recently triggered a huge row with London for suggesting the UK - and France -were already helping Ukraine with 'target control' of missiles, while attempting to explain why Taurus would not be sent. Leaked German military audio also claimed the UK had troops in the country, which London has always denied.
Following the claims - as well as President Macron of France's own insistence that troops in Ukraine could not be 'ruled out' - Moscow accused Western leaders of 'playing with fire' and risking escalation of the conflict.
'A limit I do not want to cross' - Scholz condemns 'half truths', reiterates Taurus deliveries to Kiev would require 'deployment of German soldiers'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition to supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that the necessary deployment of soldiers, even 'outside of Ukraine' were a 'limit' that he would not cross, during a parliamentary session in Berlin on Wednesday.
"To me, it is impossible to supply far-reaching weapon systems that can only be sensibly delivered if they are also associated with the deployment of German soldiers outside of Ukraine," he said. "That is a limit that I as Chancellor do not want to cross and that is why I have decided and presented my position on this issue as you know it, I believe we must ensure that there is no involvement of German soldiers when delivering weapons."
He also thanked MPs for allowing him 'to address a collection of half-truths that are being spread in public discussions, creating a false impression'
"I've made this statement repeatedly, and I reiterate it here. The issue at hand is not whether it's being used in Ukraine or whether the operational planning, including target selection, is taking place in Germany," he said, referring to the recent media storm he triggered by claiming the UK and France were doing the same.
"The key point is the participation in deciding where the missile is launched and where it strikes, and German soldiers should not be involved in that," Scholz continued. "As Chancellor, I have the responsibility to prevent Germany from getting entangled in this war, a view shared by all other responsible leaders in Europe and NATO."
Scholz has repeatedly ruled out sending Taurus to Ukraine, citing concerns about 'escalation' of the conflict and the need for German troops on the ground.
Earlier this week the chancellor also stated his opposition to supplying the weaponry, but avoided directly commenting on a potential 'ring exchange' proposed by the UK, which would see Taurus delivered to London and additional Storm Shadows sent from the UK to Ukraine - which his foreign minister said was an 'option'.
The German leader recently triggered a huge row with London for suggesting the UK - and France -were already helping Ukraine with 'target control' of missiles, while attempting to explain why Taurus would not be sent. Leaked German military audio also claimed the UK had troops in the country, which London has always denied.
Following the claims - as well as President Macron of France's own insistence that troops in Ukraine could not be 'ruled out' - Moscow accused Western leaders of 'playing with fire' and risking escalation of the conflict.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition to supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that the necessary deployment of soldiers, even 'outside of Ukraine' were a 'limit' that he would not cross, during a parliamentary session in Berlin on Wednesday.
"To me, it is impossible to supply far-reaching weapon systems that can only be sensibly delivered if they are also associated with the deployment of German soldiers outside of Ukraine," he said. "That is a limit that I as Chancellor do not want to cross and that is why I have decided and presented my position on this issue as you know it, I believe we must ensure that there is no involvement of German soldiers when delivering weapons."
He also thanked MPs for allowing him 'to address a collection of half-truths that are being spread in public discussions, creating a false impression'
"I've made this statement repeatedly, and I reiterate it here. The issue at hand is not whether it's being used in Ukraine or whether the operational planning, including target selection, is taking place in Germany," he said, referring to the recent media storm he triggered by claiming the UK and France were doing the same.
"The key point is the participation in deciding where the missile is launched and where it strikes, and German soldiers should not be involved in that," Scholz continued. "As Chancellor, I have the responsibility to prevent Germany from getting entangled in this war, a view shared by all other responsible leaders in Europe and NATO."
Scholz has repeatedly ruled out sending Taurus to Ukraine, citing concerns about 'escalation' of the conflict and the need for German troops on the ground.
Earlier this week the chancellor also stated his opposition to supplying the weaponry, but avoided directly commenting on a potential 'ring exchange' proposed by the UK, which would see Taurus delivered to London and additional Storm Shadows sent from the UK to Ukraine - which his foreign minister said was an 'option'.
The German leader recently triggered a huge row with London for suggesting the UK - and France -were already helping Ukraine with 'target control' of missiles, while attempting to explain why Taurus would not be sent. Leaked German military audio also claimed the UK had troops in the country, which London has always denied.
Following the claims - as well as President Macron of France's own insistence that troops in Ukraine could not be 'ruled out' - Moscow accused Western leaders of 'playing with fire' and risking escalation of the conflict.