The president of European Parliament, Roberta Metsolaexpressed this Saturday his support for the delivery of long range missiles a Ukraine to strengthen its defense against Russian aggression.
In an interview with the German media group Funke, Metsola urged Germany to collaborate by sending their weapons systems Taurus. “That is also the position of the European Parliament“, he declared, underlining the broad support for this proposal in the European Parliament.
The request for Metsola arrives in a context of political division in Germany. Although the German government’s coalition partners, the Free Democrats and the Verdessupport the sending of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the social democratic chancellor Olaf Scholz has been against this measure.
Metsola He highlighted that this change could occur “even before” the Bundestag electionsalthough the position of the German Executive remains negative.
The deputy spokesman for the German government reiterated on Monday that Berlin will not authorize the delivery of missiles Tauruseven if USA confirms that Ukrainian forces can use the missiles ATACMSwith a range of up to 300 kilometers, against targets in Russian territory.
He Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenskyhas intensified its calls for Germany to authorize the use of its weapons, similar to what was approved by the United States.
These claims coincide with the recent ratification of the new nuclear doctrine of the Russian president, Vladimir Putinand the successful launch of a new Russian ballistic missile, the Oreshnikused for the first time against Ukraine.
Zelensky maintains that support with long range weaponry It is key to countering Russian incursions and maintaining the defense of its territory. Since August, Ukraine has brought the conflict to Russian territory, especially in the region of Kurskafter an incursion that marked a change in the front lines.
The conflict in Ukrainewhich began in February 2022, has exceeded a thousand days without signs of resolution. Fighting remains stagnant on some front lines, while other areas experience a escalation with the use of advanced weaponry.
Putin recently announced that the missile Oreshnik will go into series production and will be distributed among Russian Strategic Missile Forcesand movement that strengthens Russian offensive capabilities against Western military support for Ukraine.
The posture of Metsola reflects a growing consensus in Europe on the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities against Russia. However, differences between European countries on the limits of military support generate tensions that impact the global strategy to contain the conflict.
The use of long range weaponry remains a sensitive issue, as it poses the risk of further internationalization of the conflict. Despite this, Metsola emphasized the importance of maintain determined support for Ukraine to preserve security and stability in Europe.
Russia has tested a new intermediate-range ballistic missile with nuclear capacity, the development of which had not been previously revealed. Identified as “Oreshnik” During testing, the system under development is officially named “Cedar”according to statements by Kirilo Budanovhead of Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR).
The Russian president, Vladimir Putinstated that the shot, fired from the Russian region of Astrakhanit was a test in combat conditions. “The flight time between launch and impact was 15 minutes,” reported the GUR through Telegram. Putin He explained that it is a “medium range” ballistic missile, designed to reach targets located between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers.
Although it does not fall into the category of intercontinental missiles, experts have warned about its potential range. Pavel Podviganalyst at the Institute of United Nations Disarmament Research (Unidir), stated that the Oreshnik can threaten almost all of Europe and, if fired from the Russian Far East, even the west coast of USA.
According to Putin, Russia has a “reserve” of these missiles ready for use, although Ukrainian information suggests that Moscow It has “a few units” at this stage. “The russians “They were going to manufacture two prototypes,” he said. Budanov in reference to data obtained in October.
(With information from EP and AFP)
