NATO chief defends German chancellor amid Zelenskyy's criticism regarding

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed disagreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's criticism of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling it "unjustified."

This statement comes as Germany's hesitation to provide long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine has become a point of contention in Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports via Western media.

"I have often told Zelenskyy that he should stop criticising Olaf Scholz, because I think it is unfair," Rutte told DPA in an interview on December 23.

While Germany remains a key ally to Ukraine, its reluctance to supply the long-range Taurus missiles has frustrated Ukrainian officials who are battling a well-armed Russian military. Rutte, however, signalled his stance by asserting that he, unlike Scholz, would provide Ukraine with the necessary cruise missiles and would not impose restrictions on their use.

"In general, we know that such capabilities are very important for Ukraine," Rutte said. "It is not up to me to decide what allies should deliver."

Notably, the criticism of Scholz comes in the wake of a telephone call in November between Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy remarked that the conversation had "opened a Pandora's box," which he claimed could weaken efforts to isolate Putin and achieve a "fair peace" in Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

Though there are many voices in favor of delivering the Taurus, Scholz remains categorically opposed to delivering the weapon system. He argues that Germany runs the risk of being drawn into the war between Russia and Ukraine if the Taurus cruise missiles are used. "We must not be linked in any way or at any place with the targets that this system achieves," he said.

The Taurus cruise missile is one of the most powerful weapons in the German army's arsenal, and has been at the top of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wish list for a long time. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the Social Democrats (SPD), continues to reject exports of the weapon to Ukraine.

With a warhead that can penetrate bunkers, the Taurus cruise missile has a range of 500 kilometres (300 miles) and can be fired by a fighter jet. Ukraine wants to use it to attack positions inside Russia from which Russian troops are bombing Ukraine.

By Khagan Isayev