US strikes' approval on Russia not to change Germany’s stance on Taurus missiles

The German government has stated that US President Joe Biden’s approval of strikes by US long-range weapons deep inside Russia will not alter German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision not to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles.

Deputy Spokesperson of German Federal Government Wolfgang Büchner confirmed the position, saying, "Yes, the FRG government has been informed about it, and no, it does not affect the chancellor's decision not to supply Taurus," Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range American missiles against military targets inside Russia, a US official told AFP on condition of anonymity on Sunday, marking a major policy shift long demanded by Kyiv.

The New York Times and The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, first reported the change, saying it came in response to North Korea deploying troops to help Moscow's war effort.

The US official who spoke to AFP confirmed the reports as accurate, while spokespeople for the State Department, White House and Pentagon declined to comment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently pushed for authorization from Washington to use the powerful Army Tactical Missile System, known by its initials as ATACMS, to hit targets inside Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva