Despite Germany’s hesitation over the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeiev has praised Germany’s assistance in repelling Russia’s invasion.

“Under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany has taken a leading role in supporting our country. I am very grateful for that,” Mr Makeiev said in remarks on Wednesday.

However, Germany’s coalition government is still struggling to find a common line on the possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv.

This is even though the coalition parliamentary groups want to introduce a joint motion to the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, on Thursday on further support for Ukraine.

The three parliamentary group leaders of the Social Democratic Party, Greens and Free Democratic Party had called for “the delivery of additional, necessary long-range weapons systems and ammunition.”

Ukraine officially requested Taurus cruise missiles from the German government in May.

The weapons could hit targets up to 500 kilometres away with great precision.

“For a long time, it was also said that the (Leopard) tanks would not be delivered. But then, at some point, they did arrive.

“The same applies to systems that were never publicly discussed,” Mr Makeiev said.

Mr Scholz had so far rejected Ukraine’s request.

He decided at the beginning of October not to supply any of the cruise missiles to Ukraine for the time being. 

(dpa/NAN)