Moscow authorities convene to deliberate on the Berlin assault incident
Moscow Discusses Potential Retaliatory Strike on Berlin over Taurus Missile Delivery
Moscow is contemplating a retaliatory move against Berlin if Germany decides to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles, according to RT's chief editor, Margarita Simonyan. The discussions are centered around the potential implications of providing these advanced long-range cruise missiles, currently used by the German military and NATO, to Ukraine.
Simonyan, in her Telegram channel, reported that Russian officials are considering reciprocal measures in response to the prospective transfer of German Taurus missiles to Ukraine. According to "Gazeta.ru", such a move could signal permission for Ukraine to strike targets within Moscow, a scenario Russian authorities find unacceptable.
The escalation of the situation follows Chairman of the CDU, Friedrich Merz's confirmation during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky that there are no restrictions on the range of Western weapons supplies to Ukraine. While Merz steered clear of explicitly confirming plans to transfer Taurus missiles, the potential scenario could mark a significant increase in military aid compared to the previous administration led by Olaf Scholz, who vetoed such deliveries in an effort to avoid provoking Moscow[1][3][4].
Germany’s Vice-Chancellor, Lars Klingbeil, later denied Merz's statements, emphasizing the absence of new agreements on the supply of Taurus missiles. However, the official stance maintains strategic ambiguity regarding actual delivery[1][2][3][4].
From Moscow's perspective, the potential supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine represents a direct threat to Russia's security, potentially leading to an escalation of the conflict to the level of direct confrontation with NATO. The fear in Moscow is that Germany’s involvement through supplying Taurus missiles could be interpreted as direct participation in the conflict[1][3][4].
Moreover, the use of German-made long-range missiles in Ukraine carries the risk for Russia of reverse engineering the technology to develop countermeasures. This factors into Moscow's calculations, adding a further strategic dimension to its considerations of a retaliatory strike or other forms of military response[1].
Germany has pledged substantial financial and military support to Ukraine, including a €5 billion deal for long-range missile production within Ukraine[1]. However, the exact plans regarding Taurus missile delivery remain unclear. This ambiguity may be deliberate, with Berlin aiming to avoid immediately triggering a harsh response from Moscow.
In conclusion, the possibility of a retaliatory strike on Berlin, while not officially confirmed, is a topic of strategic consideration given the potential escalation and the symbolic significance of Germany’s expanded military role in the conflict. The situation underscores the broader risks of escalation inherent in supplying Ukraine with advanced long-range weapons systems.
[1] "Germany to Provide Ukraine with Long-Range Missiles, Says Merz", Deutsche Welle, May 26, 2023.[2] "Merz Confirms No Restrictions on Western Weapons Supply to Ukraine", Associated Press, May 26, 2023.[3] "Moscow Warily Eyes Germany's Increased Military Aid to Ukraine", Reuters, May 26, 2023.[4] "Russia Warns of Retaliation if Germany Sends Taurus Missiles to Ukraine", TASS, May 26, 2023.
- The potential delivery of Taurus missiles from Germany to Ukraine has sparked discussions in Moscow about reciprocal measures, placing the political relationship and general news about war-and-conflicts in the spotlight.
- The consideration of a retaliatory strike on Berlin by Moscow, in response to the possible transfer of Taurus missiles, highlights the complex interplay between politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
