Berlin/Prague. The use of German-supplied weapons to attack targets in Russia has been taboo for Ukraine. Now there is a change of direction, taking into account the current developments at the front.
Change of direction in Germany’s policy in Ukraine: The country attacked by Russia is now authorized to fire weapons supplied by Germany at military targets in Russia. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit made Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s (SPD) decision public on Friday morning, just hours after a similar announcement by the US. Both Germany and the US justified the measure with the recent Russian offensive against Ukraine’s eastern region of Kharkiv.
“In recent weeks, Russia has prepared, coordinated and carried out attacks from positions in the immediately adjacent Russian border area, particularly in the Kharkiv area,” Hebestreit explained. They are jointly convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks.
“To this end, it may also use weapons provided for this purpose, in accordance with its international legal obligations – including those provided by us,” he added. These include, for example, the 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Mars II rocket launchers and the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. With the Patriots, Ukraine could theoretically shoot down Russian aircraft attacking targets in the Kharkiv area from Russian airspace with missiles or glide bombs.
Escalation risk as a counterargument
By authorizing the use of their weapons against targets in Russia, Chancellor Scholz and US President Joe Biden are making yet another change of course in Ukraine policy. Unlike other NATO states, in the past they have associated the transfer of certain weapons systems to Ukraine with strict conditions for their use. The background is the fear that the conflict with Russia could worsen further and NATO could become a belligerent party.
Specifically, according to military officials, the requirements included, among other things, that Ukraine was not authorized to shoot down Russian fighter jets in Russian airspace with Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in order to prevent them from firing missiles or dropping bombs on Ukraine. It is not yet clear to what extent the requirements have now been lifted.
Release with restrictions
A US government official emphasized late on Thursday that the US clearance only applied to counterattacks in defense of the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military should be able to act against Russian forces “attacking or preparing to attack them.” Furthermore, the use of US weapons against targets in Russia remains prohibited. When asked whether it would be conceivable to use German weapons on Russian territory in other sectors of the front in the future, a German government spokesman said it was currently difficult to speculate.
Shortly before the announcements, intense discussions took place between the US, France, Britain and Germany at the level of national security advisors on Wednesday and Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron had already publicly spoken out in favor of a change of course in a meeting with Scholz on Monday. Britain has always been seen as less than squeamish about using Western weapons against targets in Russia.
Tensions in the federal government
In Germany, according to information from government circles, Chancellor Scholz in particular had so far insisted on not relaxing requirements too quickly. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), however, have long signaled their openness to lifting restrictions.
Scholz had recently prepared a possible change of direction. During his appearance with Macron, he made it clear that he saw no problems, at least legally. Ukraine is authorized to defend itself in accordance with international law – and when it comes to using weapons supplied by Germany, it must also act within the framework of international law. According to experts, international law allows attacked states to attack aggressors on their own territory to defend themselves.
Secret agreements
At the same time, at a citizens’ discussion in Erfurt on Thursday night, Scholz spoke about the agreements that have been made with Ukraine regarding the use of weapons. The federal government does not reveal anything about the content of this confidential agreement.
It is still unclear whether Scholz really wanted to keep the launch a secret and only announced it because the US also did the same the night before. Or if he intentionally wanted to put Germany back in the shadow of the USA. The Chancellor has already used this tactic when it came to delivering tanks to Ukraine. He let his big partner, the US, set the pace – probably also so that Germany would not be seen in Russia as a driver of international support for Ukraine.
Because Scholz’s biggest fear is that the Federal Republic could be drawn into war. He repeatedly emphasizes that Germany will not participate directly. Hence the no delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles – which, according to Defense Minister Pistorius, still applies. And therefore the very clear position not to send German soldiers to Ukraine. A government spokesman directly emphasized on Friday that nothing had changed: “It was always clear that by supplying weapons to Ukraine, we would not become a part of it or a party to the war.”
Will Scholz’s “Course in Prudence” Continue?
Scholz and his SPD rely heavily on the self-styled “course of prudence” in the Ukraine war in this year’s election campaigns – in the European elections and in the state elections in the east – and certainly also in the campaign for the 2025 federal elections. message: This Chancellor and his Party are not at any risk of the war escalating in their country. But given the latest gun ruling, is this narrative still valid? BSW party founder Sahra Wagenknecht warned in the “Augsburger Allgemeine” that Scholz was bringing Germany “frighteningly close to a third world war.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in particular has exerted pressure on Scholz and Biden in recent days. He welcomed Friday’s news and made it clear once again that he does not fear any irresponsible risks of escalation or even retaliation against NATO states.
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In response to questions from journalists in Prague, he said that the Russian President had already threatened consequences at the start of the invasion if other countries supported Ukraine, and that this continued with all targeted weapons deliveries. Ultimately, it is only Russia that continues the escalation – most recently, by opening a new front in the Kharkiv region.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240531-99-226048/10 (dpa)