2024-09-17 06:31:25
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sharply criticised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his decision not to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Scholz justified the refusal by citing the risk of escalation of the conflict due to the range of these missiles. While the US, UK and France have already supplied Ukraine with similar weapons, Scholz continues to take a cautious stance. Johnson, in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, called on Scholz to reconsider, saying that at a decisive stage of the war it is necessary to take a clear position and support Ukraine.
Johnson also recalled that Germany had taken a more reserved stance at the start of the war, suggesting that a quick end to the conflict could be beneficial to Germany. He indicated that this view had changed under the influence of subsequent events, but called on Berlin to take a more active role in supporting Ukraine.
Johnson has also criticized Scholz before, pointing out that at the start of the war Germany considered ending the conflict quickly through concessions to Ukraine.
It should be noted that Taurus is a German-Swedish long-range cruise missile designed to hit hardened targets. Its range is about 500 km, which makes it capable of hitting targets far behind the front line. Taurus is equipped with modern navigation systems and is capable of overcoming complex defensive systems.
Earlier, “Cursor” reported that Johnson lashed out at the British government for its decision to suspend arms exports to Israel. He recalled that the terrorist group Hamas is holding hostages, so this decision by the British government is playing into the hands of the militants.