NATO leader says he often asked Zelenskyy not to criticise Scholz as it's "unfair"

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said that sometimes the harsh criticism of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unjustified. Rutte believes that what Scholz has done for Ukraine is impressive.

"I have often told Zelenskyy that he should stop criticising Olaf Scholz, because I think it is unfair," Rutte said in an interview with the German news agency dpa, excerpted by Spiegel.

Rutte stressed that Scholz's efforts have placed Germany second only to the US in military support for Ukraine, a contribution for which Kyiv should be grateful.

Rutte emphasised that, unlike Scholz, he would supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine without imposing restrictions on their use.

"In general, we know that such capabilities are very important for Ukraine," he said, adding that the decision on what exactly the allies should provide is not his to make.

Zelenskyy has recently criticised Scholz for, among other things, speaking on the phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin against his will. He has also voiced frustration over Scholz's persistent refusal to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

The German chancellor has consistently refused to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons, explaining that he does not want an escalation.

Reports indicate that Scholz's Social Democratic Party of Germany may include a separate provision in its election manifesto to refuse to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles.