International

Germany to consider sending long-range missiles to Ukraine

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Monday expressed support for Germany to deliver Taurus cruise missiles requested by Kyiv to help repel Russian forces, AFP and Agerpres reported.

"I hope and believe that it is possible," the liberal minister said in an interview with Bild, Die Welt and Politico at the end of his first visit to Kyiv since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "In times of war, speed is essential," he added.

Germany is under increasing pressure from Kyiv to send Taurus cruise missiles with a long range to support its counteroffensive. The German government has so far opposed this request, fearing that the missiles will reach Russian territory and escalate the conflict.

Asked about this subject on Sunday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave a vague answer. "As in the past, we will always carefully consider every decision, what is possible, what makes sense, and what our contribution can be," he said.

Regarding possible differences of opinion with the social-democratic chancellor, Lindner said on Monday that it is "the desire of the German government as a whole" to make a quick decision. "No one in the government wants to delay such a decision," he said.

Arriving in Kyiv on Monday morning by train for a surprise visit, Christian Lindner held talks with his counterpart Sergii Marcenko and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.

Since the start of the Russian invasion, Germany has provided Ukraine with around 22 billion euros in humanitarian, financial and military aid.

On Telegram, the Ukrainian Prime Minister informed about important talks with Christian Lindner and thanked the German government for its support.

The two countries are working on five different investment projects worth around 247 million euros and are studying three other projects that would total over 70 million euros, Denis Shmygal added.

"We hope for the participation of German companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. I insist on the need to strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation and the confiscation of Russian assets, which would be the main source of funding for the reconstruction of Ukraine," the prime minister continued.

Lindner and his Ukrainian counterpart signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of financial markets, customs, as well as in the management of privatizations and state participation in enterprises. "Advisory activities to support Ukraine in its process of accession to the European Union" are also planned.

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