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Scholz wants to induce Kiev to peace talks by refusing to supply Taurus — journalist

Matthew Karnitschnig recalled that Scholz belongs to the generation of Germans who grew up under Chancellor Willy Brandt, who became famous for his "New Eastern Policy", which did much to defuse international tensions during the Cold War

BRUSSELS, March 7. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to transfer Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine speaks of his desire to induce Kiev to peace talks with Moscow, a Politico correspondent said.

According to Matthew Karnitschnig, Scholz's unwillingness to go all out for Ukraine by supplying Kiev with long-range Taurus missiles capable of hitting targets on Russian territory means that the chancellor's ultimate goal is to get Kiev "to agree to peace talks" with Moscow as soon as possible.

The journalist recalled that Scholz belongs to the generation of Germans who grew up under Chancellor Willy Brandt, who became famous for his Ostpolitik ("New Eastern Policy"), which did much to defuse international tensions during the Cold War. "As a child of that era, Scholz understands the pull of Ostpolitik on the German psyche better than most," Karnitschnig said, noting that the politician has recently strengthened his positioning as a "peace chancellor."

On March 4, Scholz reiterated his refusal to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles, stressing that the transfer of such weapons was out of the question because it required the involvement of the German military. Scholz has repeatedly emphasized that he is against supplying Taurus to Kiev. The chancellor justified his position with the danger of Germany being drawn into the conflict. At the same time, the German leader pointed out that the missiles could hit targets in Moscow if they were incorrectly programmed.

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