The two leaders said they were in lock-step when it came to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. Macron called for Kyiv to be allowed to strike military positions in Russia that were used to attack Ukraine.
Their basis for holding back was Ukraine might use them to strike targets in Russia, and that cannot be allowed…
That was one argument, the other one was that a (German) ground force maintainance crew & training & encoding experts and stuff would be needed.
Regarding sending maintainance crews, the opinions seem more and more positive of late. I’ll reckon we’ll might see Taurus , and hopefully more of it’s friends, being send. Then again, it will also depend on the outcome of the ( EU) elections this year.
Yes, I forgot Germany has a “diehard” constitution. Tnx for explaining this aspect. That would make it a third argument, or need of an " extra A-okay" mandate.
I also remembered, that big eavesdrop hack scandal while the Taurus issue was internally being discussed with the military brass and ministers. Having that scandal and the discussion " in the open" hasn’t helped either.
It doesn’t really matter what other nations do in that regard. The German constitution forbids sending troops without a UN or NATO mandate. it’s one of the post WW2 shackles. Besides that I don’t think Ukraine even has any compatible platforms anyway, the Gripen might be if Sweden goes through with that one.
But regardless of all that, Taurus should get a new batch order either way to be honest. If there’s only such a limited amount in working condition and they’re this valuable, then we should probably prepare a little more.
That was one argument, the other one was that a (German) ground force maintainance crew & training & encoding experts and stuff would be needed. Regarding sending maintainance crews, the opinions seem more and more positive of late. I’ll reckon we’ll might see Taurus , and hopefully more of it’s friends, being send. Then again, it will also depend on the outcome of the ( EU) elections this year.
Germany needs either a UN or NATO mandate to send troops into Ukraine. Anything else would be unconstitutional.
Yes, I forgot Germany has a “diehard” constitution. Tnx for explaining this aspect. That would make it a third argument, or need of an " extra A-okay" mandate.
I also remembered, that big eavesdrop hack scandal while the Taurus issue was internally being discussed with the military brass and ministers. Having that scandal and the discussion " in the open" hasn’t helped either.
French training personnel in country openly, followed by the Baltics (or vice versa) would make the German standpoint harder and harder to maintain.
While it is an open secret the Brits and French have been in country supporting storm shadow and scalp use.
So who knows… let’s see if the Germans order another batch of Taurus.
It doesn’t really matter what other nations do in that regard. The German constitution forbids sending troops without a UN or NATO mandate. it’s one of the post WW2 shackles. Besides that I don’t think Ukraine even has any compatible platforms anyway, the Gripen might be if Sweden goes through with that one.
But regardless of all that, Taurus should get a new batch order either way to be honest. If there’s only such a limited amount in working condition and they’re this valuable, then we should probably prepare a little more.