Germany Scholz rejects request to shoot down Russian missiles
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky's call for his Western allies to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over Ukrainian territory with their own weapons. Following the European summit in the UK, the SPD politician also once again rejected Zelensky's request on Thursday to lift the restrictions on the use of Western weapons supplied against Russian territory. When asked at a press conference whether he was in agreement with the other NATO states on these points, he said: "I see such a consensus that such steps are out of the question, and the USA is also very clear on this."
18.07.2024, 19:54
SDA
Selensky had previously used the European Political Community (EPC) summit to reinforce his call for more support in defending against Russian airstrikes. He specifically addressed the USA, the UK, France, Germany and Poland with regard to the launching of drones and missiles. "Their courage can be decisive for peace." Selensky emphasized that, in his view, this would not be an attack against Russia.
The Ukrainian president also called for a further relaxation of the rules of engagement for Western weapons in order to be able to target military airfields on Russian territory far beyond the border. "The fewer restrictions we have on the use of weapons, the more Russia will strive for peace," warned Selensky. At the end of May, the USA, Germany and other allies allowed Ukraine to attack positions on Russian territory to protect the metropolis of Kharkiv. However, Scholz does not want to go any further.
