Chancellor Scholz and Vice Chancellor Habeck Support New Weapons Policy for Ukraine
Berlin – In a significant policy shift, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has authorized the use of German weapons by Ukraine to target military installations in Russia. This decision was officially conveyed by a government spokesman, signaling a notable change in the Chancellor's previous stance, which was primarily driven by fears of escalating the conflict.
Chancellor Scholz justified this new direction by emphasizing the need to defend key Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv. "Under international law, this has always been possible anyway," he stated, assuring the public that cautious steps are being taken to avoid unwarranted escalation. Scholz emphasized that his decisions are made prudently and not influenced by external pressures.
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of The Greens expressed support for Scholz's decision, albeit with regret over the delay. "Everything we decided, we could have decided more quickly," Habeck remarked, referencing the internal support that existed as early as March. Highlighting the humanitarian aspect, Habeck stressed that the move aims to protect children, women, and men in Kharkiv, where Russian offensives have intensified.
The shift follows similar actions by the United States, which has also permitted Ukraine limited use of its weapons against Russian targets. The policy change from both nations comes in response to the recent Russian Kharkiv offensive. The new regulations are intended to cover a defined region around Kharkiv to boost Ukraine's self-defense capabilities.
This development raises questions about future arms deliveries, specifically the potential approval of Taurus cruise missiles, which Scholz has been hesitant to greenlight. Vice Chancellor Habeck defended Scholz against accusations of hesitation, emphasizing the complexity of such decisions.
In line with these events, Scholz plans to make a formal government statement addressing the current security situation at the Bundestag. While his stance on Taurus deliveries remains uncertain, the authorization of other German weapons for defensive measures marks a critical juncture in Germany’s role in the Ukraine conflict.
- On the front lines, the Russian military continues to make gains in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture of the small town of Umanské in the Donetsk region. This town, which had fewer than 180 residents before the conflict, lies around 25 km northwest of the significant regional city of Donetsk, now under Russian control.
- Newly appointed Russian Defense Minister Andreï Beloussov praised the progress of Russian forces, claiming that 880 km² of Ukrainian territory has been taken since the beginning of 2024. This ongoing offensive has placed considerable strain on Ukrainian forces, already grappling with shortages in ammunition and manpower.
- Kyiv remains hopeful that forthcoming deliveries of Western munitions will help them regain ground. Recently, the United States, which had been hesitant, approved Ukraine's use of its weapons to defend the Kharkiv region under specific conditions. This could potentially tip the balance in Ukraine's favor in the protracted conflict.
