German Foreign Minister supports supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, despite Scholz's position

Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, has supported the idea of the West to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles for self-defence, although Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes such a move, fearing an escalation of the war.

As reported by DW, Baerbock stressed on the air of the ARD TV channel that she has always said that long-range missiles play an important role, especially for overcoming the mine zone in the east of Ukraine.

When asked about the possibility of supplying Kyiv with other types of weapons from Germany, she stressed that she had already made her opinion on this clear, but Scholz had a different position. 

Baerbock said that in a democratic coalition, if the partners cannot agree on one item, they cannot support it, referring to the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine. She added that in such cases, the Americans, the British, and the French take responsibility.

She also reiterated her support for Germany's continued military assistance to Ukraine. 

Baerbock argued that this support is especially important given the possibility of Donald Trump's return to the White House after the election.

Germany has consistently refused to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, even after the UK, France and the USA provided their long-range weapons.

In particular, on 21 September, Scholz once again rejected calls for the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. 

The Times has written that the United States and the United Kingdom are likely to grant Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory, but this decision may remain a secret to preserve the element of surprise for the Russian side. 

Later, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that a decision on lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western long-range weapons against military targets in Russia could be made by the beginning of winter.