Experts in defense sound the alarm, encouraging a freezing approach by Putin's deployment

Defense experts are raising alarms about Putin's actions, urging a shift in strategy. Compared to the Federal Chancellor, experts from the SPD and the Union criticize the limitations on Kiev in their war against Russia. They argue that attacks on Kharkiv necessitate a change in NATO's approach.

In the debate over the restrictions on using Western weapons against Russia, defense experts from the SPD and CDU are putting increased pressure on the German government. Andreas Schwarz of the SPD told the Dusseldorf "Rheinische Post," "Putin is exploiting our constraints on deploying Western weapons." He highlighted the recent attacks on Kharkiv as an example, where the Russian army shells Ukraine’s second-largest city from Russian territory, unchallenged, due to insufficient Ukrainian air defense and restrictions on crossing the border. Schwarz, who focuses on defense budgets in the budget committee, emphasized that Ukraine is helplessly witnessing the destruction and loss of lives.

Schwarz advocates for a shift in strategy, aligning with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg's perspective, allowing Ukraine to strike positions on Russian territory from which it is being attacked. He called for a reassessment of this "glaring flaw" in Western strategy, noting that there are no legal obstacles to such actions.

Johann Wadephul, the defense expert from the Union faction in the Bundestag, supports Schwarz’s stance. "Ukraine is defending itself under international law against Russian aggression and should be allowed to use weapons on Russian territory," he stated. Wadephul criticized the restrictions on weapon use, arguing that they only benefit Russia and should be lifted immediately. He also urged the Chancellor to authorize the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Despite this pressure, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his refusal to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns about escalating the conflict into a war between Russia and NATO. Schwarz, reflecting on the SPD politician’s earlier statement, emphasized the need for Germany to maintain control over the targets in systems like Taurus to avoid such risks.