March 3, 2024 – Translated from German via Google and OFP
(Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa)
Russia releases a recorded conversation between senior German officers. Some now doubt whether the Chancellor publicly justified his rejection of the “Taurus” delivery correctly – and are wondering whether the whole thing is a diversionary tactic.
In the German Air Force wiretapping scandal, the Union [CDU-CSU–OFP] is focusing on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Russia had previously released a recorded conversation between senior officers in which they discussed operational scenarios for the German Taurus cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine. The Union reads there that the participation of German soldiers in a delivery is technically not absolutely necessary.
“The reports are strange in two respects,” CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt told Spiegel, “on the one hand, that security-related conversations are obviously being overheard by the Russians, and on the other hand, that the Federal Chancellor may be justifying his rejection of Taurus deliveries with a misrepresentation”. The Chancellor must explain this to the Bundestag, demanded Dobrindt. And threatened: “In this situation, a committee of inquiry cannot be ruled out.”
Union accuses Chancellor Scholz of “false allegations”
The CDU defense representative Roderich Kiesewetter argued similarly on ZDF: “It must be clarified why the Chancellor goes public with false claims where he says that German Bundeswehr participation on site is necessary.” The CDU foreign politician Norbert Röttgen sees it the same way. In the Berliner Tagesspiegel he stated that Scholz had suffered serious damage personally: The question arises as to “why the Russian secret service and perhaps even a higher authority are now causing such massive damage to the Chancellor by publishing the conversation.”
Four officers, including Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz, discussed operational scenarios for the German Taurus cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine in a telephone conference in preparation for a conversation with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). Their conversation was published on the Russian platform Russia Today. In it, they stated that rapid delivery and rapid deployment would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers – and that Taurus training of Ukrainian soldiers for a mission under their own direction would be possible, but would take months.
Scholz justified his rejection of a Taurus delivery by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war. “We must not be linked at any point or place to the goals that this system can achieve,” he said at the beginning of last week. At a public meeting in Dresden, he later explained that the weapon could reach Moscow if used incorrectly. Others then have to worry about where exactly what ends up [in effect, no one would know where those missiles would end up at–OFP]. “In our case, that would mean that we would have to participate [German troops in Ukrain–OFP] in order to be able to do that. I think that is impossible.”
Politicians are now demanding better security precautions
How Russia obtained the recording is now being investigated by the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD). According to dpa information, the officers spoke to each other via the Webex communication application. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense told Bild am Sonntag : “There are indications that an insufficiently secure means of communication was used in view of the content that was obviously discussed. This is, among other things, the subject of further investigations.”
Politicians across party lines are now calling for better security precautions – not just for the Bundeswehr. The vice-chair of the Green party in the Bundestag, Agnieszka Brugger, who specializes in security issues, warned of further Russian sabotage actions in the coming months. “The events of the last few days show once again how (President) Vladimir Putin is trying to have a massively negative influence on our open society, especially in Germany, through disinformation, destabilization and espionage,” she told Spiegel. “This will increase in this year full of important elections, so we have to prepare much better for it in politics, media and society.”
Her party colleague Konstantin von Notz, who heads the parliamentary committee to control the secret services, has also called on the government to clarify the matter in the relevant Bundestag committees. The former Bundestag military commissioner, Hans-Peter Bartels, believes that the dismissal of Air Force Inspector Gerhartz is out of the question. “The federal government will not do Putin the favor of firing individual Air Force generals now,” he told the Tagesspiegel.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/taurus-lieferung-scholz-abhoerskandal-1.6416799
There can be only mixed feelings for the performance that Scholz has had in this war. The start was very weak and downright embarrassing, having sent 5000 helmets at first. However, Germany has risen to be the number two in providing Ukraine with military aid. Still, Scholz is doing no one any favors to prevent the Taurus from being delivered to Ukraine. His stance exposes three truths:
1. He mistrusts Ukraine and its abilities. This is a completely obtuse stance to have in light of Ukraine’s proven abilities and having honored all promises.
2. He mistrusts NATO. If he fears getting Germany involved in the war, he shows a deep mistrust in the effectiveness of NATO membership.
3. He overestimates mafia land’s abilities. Muscovy has tremendous difficulties in defeating Ukraine, despite Ukraine not getting what it needs. The last thing the rat regime needs now is to wage war on another country, regardless of who it is.
All together, Scholz is not the right leader to have when the continent has a war of this scale. He has time and again allowed deep-seated fear to control his actions. This is something mafia land was able to manipulate to great effect.
I hope that this newest scandal can bring some positive news for Ukraine regarding the Taurus missile, but I won’t hold my breath.
Well said, strong arguments, Mr. Ofp! 👋🙂👍
i agree
^bert
Germany didn’t have any problem sending troops to Ukraine in 1941, so why so shy now?
Germany has a unique obligation to Ukraine because it did to them in 1941 what putler is doing now. Almost a half of the entire SU losses were inflicted upon Ukraine by Germany and no reparations were paid.
Germany and fellow quisling France stitched up Ukraine with Minsk 1&2. The same alliance kept Ukraine out of Nato and funded putler’s genocide machine for decades by deliberately buying putinaZi energy in ridiculously vast proportions.
Well, exactly because Germany did invade Poland, Ukraine and Russia in WWII, there are huge concerns nowadays about getting involved in any new war, Scradge1. You seriously underestimate how much Germany has changed and how much nowadays Germans try to be better than their ancestors of the Nazi era. Even sending soldiers on peacekeeping missions sparks huge debates, not to speak of the participation in the Afghanistan war, the first and only Nato defense case so far. To send Bundeswehr members to Ukraine to take an active part in military operations is a big NoNo here. Even I think that should better be avoided. Let’s train the AFU to be able to do that on their own. To support this with intelligence data from Germany is ok, though, I think. 🤔
As I informed you recently, I was in Germany only recently and have nothing but positive memories of German hospitality. But that won’t stop me reminding them of their enormous responsibilities.
You and German people in general need to have a serious rethink, like NOW. If you read about the horror that was inflicted by your countrymen on Ukraine in particular, you should all be screaming at all democratic politicians, ie non far right or far left scum, to honour their historic obligations to pay full reparations. So far they have not done nearly enough.
I never stop complaining about the failure of the Budapest signatories to honour their obligations, but the obligations of Germany are on a much greater scale of magnitude.
Like the vast majority of Germans, I was born long after the war, Scradge1. And like most Germans, I don’t see any personal responsibility for the crimes of the Nazis, but a historical obligation instead. Please don’t confuse both stances, the difference is important. To blame postwar Germans personally for WWII won’t make you any friends here. Our country has done a lot to make good for its past crimes and will continue to do so, but we’re aware that other nations, like Japan, Russia, the US and UK have not done remotely the same for their share of crimes against humanity. A whopping 79 years after the unconditional surrender of the 3rd Reich, the mood here is swinging against being painted as the one and only black sheep of the world that still shall pay up for its wrongdoings, when other nations do a big fat nothing, and I can only warn against overdoing that point.
Having written that, I’m all for increasing support for Ukraine, the brave country that defends itself so impressively against its evil neighbor, out of European and democratic solidarity. But please don’t point fingers at Germany, especially at a time when it has become the single most important conttibutor, after the US have weaseled out. This could lead to a backlash in public opinion here. Me thinks, a bit more gratitude would be more helpful to assure a further increase in deliveries. 🤨
Well said, Mr. Gray.
Mr. Gray, nobody likes war. Nobody with a normal functioning brain, that is. Nevertheless, Germany would be well advised not to throw the idea of German troops in Ukraine into the trash bin so fast. If the Germans are so against war, then at least part of the reason is that they think that mafia land would not hesitate to attack the country. But, such a move by mafia land would go against all measures of sanity. In addition, there is the question; where would German troops prefer to fight, in Ukraine or in Germany? In Ukraine, I suppose. When? When the West cannot help Ukraine defeat the roach army. We all know that the rat in muscovy won’t stop with Ukraine. Other countries will also be blessed with ruskie mir.
Actually, when you think about it all, the conclusion is that it’s all very logical.
“Nevertheless, Germany would be well advised not to throw the idea of German troops in Ukraine into the trash bin so fast.”
Of course not, Mr. Ofp. But it would be an especially hard sell in Germany, where seven decades of teaching people to refuse militarism has resulted in a strong pacifist movement. Alas, I don’t think this is necessary at all. Because if there finally was enough defence production to supply the Ukrainian army with everything it needs, Russia could be pushed out of the country without any help by Nato troops. That’s the important point that needs to get solved now!
That’s my whole point, Mr. Gray. IF Ukraine gets what it needs, and this in sufficient numbers and on a timely basis, there will be no need for NATO troops in Ukraine. The Ukrainians that I know want to fight this fascist horde on their own, they only need the means to do so.
BUT, if this can’t be accomplished … then the situation will be a different one. It’s either do or die. Even the Germans will have to learn this and get used to it.
Or start learning ruskie.