2024-03-03 20:26:44
Pistorius warned that German politicians should not make the mistake of falling for Russian President Vladimir Putin. “It is part of an information war that Putin is waging.” The minister was reacting to statements from the opposition Union that questioned the credibility of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD): The Chancellor justified his rejection of Taurus deliveries “possibly with a Misrepresentation justified,” said CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt to “Spiegel”.
He and other Union politicians demanded that Scholz “explain himself to the Bundestag”. A committee of inquiry “cannot be ruled out” either. Union Parliamentary Secretary Thorsten Frei from the CDU told “Welt” that the Union had requested a special meeting of the Defense Committee and was demanding that Scholz appear in person.
Scholz promises intensive clarification
Scholz spoke on Saturday of a “very serious matter” that was “now being clarified very carefully, very intensively and very quickly.” The Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) opened an investigation. Pistorius warned on Sunday to wait for the results of the investigation. It’s now regarding the content and regulatory consequences; personnel consequences would “definitely be far too high,” said the Defense Minister. There might be disciplinary consequences if it turns out that those involved have acted wrongly.
IMAGO/Pond5 Images Ukraine has been pushing for the delivery of cruise missiles for months
Pistorius once morest U-Committee
Pistorius was cautious regarding the possible establishment of a committee of inquiry. The question arises as to whether the process justifies a committee of inquiry with all its domestic political implications and everything that will then be discussed publicly. But he is sure that the Bundestag will deal with the issue responsibly, said the minister.
On Friday, a Russian state broadcaster published a recording of a conversation via Webex between four German Bundeswehr officers regarding the possible use of Taurus cruise missiles by Ukrainian armed forces. This is regarding the use of German Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometers, that Ukraine has been requesting for months.
Among other things, it is being discussed whether the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland, might also be hit, and whether Ukrainian armed forces might operate the weapon system without the participation of the German Bundeswehr.
Scholz continues once morest Taurus delivery
Despite criticism, Scholz is also ruling out the delivery of the Taurus weapon system from the ranks of the coalition partners. He justifies his refusal by saying that Germany might be drawn into the Ukraine war, even leading to direct involvement of the German military. Representatives of the coalition partners Greens and FDP as well as the opposition Union parties reject these arguments and openly advocate Taurus deliveries to Ukraine.
The government in Moscow demanded “statements from Germany” on Saturday. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wrote on the Telegram online service on Sunday that attempts to portray the Bundeswehr officers’ conversation as a mere mental game regarding missiles and tanks were “malicious lies.” The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council added: “Germany is preparing for war with Russia.”
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