BERLIN, November 19. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains steadfast in his decision not to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, despite growing pressure, the Bild newspaper reported, citing sources.

During the German chancellor's discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the issue of arms deliveries to Ukraine was not brought up. "We did not hear a word about it, including during the latest phone call," the publication reads. The newspaper further noted that Scholz has continued to defend his decision at the G20 summit in Brazil as well.

The German chancellor still believes that supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine could lead to an unpredictable escalation of the conflict, the newspaper said. Scholz was angered by the fact that Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, had earlier issued an ultimatum to Russia, claiming that as chancellor, he might provide the missiles to Kiev. The chancellor, in turn, told his entourage that a non-nuclear weapons state should not issue such ultimatums to a nuclear power. The delivery of Taurus missiles to Kiev will only become feasible with a new German chancellor, not with Scholz, Bild wrote.

Kiev has repeatedly urged Berlin to provide these missiles. They are seen as comparable to the British Storm Shadow, which have already been delivered to Ukraine. However, German-Swedish missiles have a longer range.

US President Joe Biden's approval of long-range missile strikes by the Ukrainian army deep inside Russia has prompted Germany to once again consider the need to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine.