Press
Defending Ukraine on the front is becoming increasingly difficult. Attacks on Russian territory could improve the situation – but many states are resisting.
Berlin – The fear that Ukraine could attack Russian territory with German weapons – this is what Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) says is the reason for not sending Taurus cruise missiles into the war in Ukraine. “We must not be linked at any point or in any place to the goals that this system achieves,” said Scholz at the dpa-Editorial Board Conference. Otherwise there is a risk of “participation in war”.
However, Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter disagrees. “This is about protecting the Ukrainian population,” he told the newspapers of the Spark-Media group. For this reason, Ukraine should not be prevented from fighting Russia’s fighter jets in Russian airspace. NATOSecretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls on the alliance countries to allow attacks on Russia.
“It is legal, it is legitimate” – Hofreiter and Stoltenberg for Ukrainian attacks on Russia
From a purely legal perspective, Hofreiter sees no problems if Ukraine uses German weapons to attack Russian territory. “International law allows an attacked state to attack military targets in the aggressor’s country,” he told the newspapers. Russia, for its part, is not afraid to attack the city of Kharkiv, which has a population of one million, with massive air strikes.
Jens Stoltenberg also expressed similar views. He called on the allies to lift restrictions on the use of weapons against military targets in Russia. “Because right now, when there is heavy fighting in Kharkiv, near the border, it will be very difficult for Ukraine to defend itself,” Stoltenberg said in an interview with The Economist.
The war of Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “war of aggression,” said Stoltenberg. Ukraine has the right to defend itself against it. “And that includes attacks on Russian territory.” Countries like Great Britain have already lifted the restrictions. “This is self-defense. Self-defense is in the U.N.Charter. It is legal, it is legitimate,” explains the NATO Secretary General.
Selenskyj thanks Scholz – even without Taurus deliveries
Ukraine had already asked Scholz several times for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles. There was “no other way to destroy Russian logistics and the rear guard, so Taurus is needed,” he said. ZDF today Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhailo Podolyak. It is not about indiscriminately attacking Russian territory, but rather “destroying the resources of the occupiers.”
Volodymyr Selenskyj, President of Ukraine, expressed his thanks to Scholz despite his rejection of the Taurus delivery. In mid-March, Selenskyj said in a video message that he was grateful for the military aid from Germany, reported the German press agency (dpa). This involves a wide range of support. He previously had a telephone conversation with the Federal Chancellor.
Hofreiter calls for EU defence fund – 500 billion for defence structure
Before the visit of the French President, Emmanuel Macronon Sunday, Hofreiter also advocated a European defense fund. “My suggestion would be a European defense fund that would provide around 500 billion euros,” Hofreiter told the sparkMedia group. Armament projects in which at least three EU states are involved would be financed at 30 percent – “provided that 80 percent of the money invested goes to European companies.”
But the spending will not only ensure Europe’s defense security. The infrastructure will also be improved. “Functioning roads, bridges and railways are not only important for commuting, travel and the economy. They are a foundation of our defense capability,” said Hofreiter. (nhi)
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