German Foreign Affairs Ministry supports long-range missiles for Ukraine, chancellor still opposes

German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock advocated for providing Ukraine with long-range missiles for self-defense, public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.

“I have always said that they [long-range missiles] play an important role, especially in overcoming the mine belt in eastern Ukraine,” Baerbock stated.

The minister noted that she has clearly expressed her opinion on this issue, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds opposing views.

“In the coalition – in the democratic coalition – it happens that if partners cannot agree on one point, we cannot support it. Then the Americans, British, and French do it,” she said.

Support for Ukraine is particularly crucial now, especially considering the possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the White House after the Nov. 5 elections, Baerbock added.

At the end of September, Olaf Scholz once again dismissed calls for supplying German-made Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. 

At the same time, the German chancellor wants to speak directly with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, as reported by DIE ZEIT, citing sources within the German government. The last time Scholz and Putin spoke was in 2022.