According to optimistic scenario, Ukraine will be able to receive Taurus no earlier than end of April, - Ambassador Melnyk
Former Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany and now Ambassador to Brazil Andrii Melnyk believes that Ukraine will receive long-range Taurus missiles if the Christian Democratic Union wins the early elections in Germany and its leader Friedrich Merz becomes chancellor.
The diplomat said this in an interview with Radio Liberty, Censor.NET reports.
Melnyk noted that Merz, who is likely to become chancellor, has spoken about the need to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine many times.
"I can't imagine in any scenario of this coalition, even if the Social Democrats become a 'junior partner' in it, that they will block this (the provision of missiles)," the diplomat said.
The former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, and now to Brazil, estimates Merz's chances of replacing Social Democrat Olaf Scholz at 99%. He allocates one percent to "something unpredictable."
"It has to be some kind of political earthquake, some kind of super scandal, which, by the way, the Russians can easily prepare. Unfortunately, they are capable of this. Some kind of scandal that, for example, will cause image losses to the potential Chancellor Merz in order to prevent this from happening," Melnyk emphasized.
Early elections in Germany are scheduled for February 23, but Ukraine will be able to receive the missiles no earlier than the end of April, the diplomat believes. According to him, this is an optimistic scenario.
"As a rule, coalition negotiations last at least two months. This is standard. Maybe longer. This means that this government, which is now in place, will be in office until then... This means that for the next six months, most likely, nothing will happen. What will happen in six months, taking into account what will happen in America and so on, I don't want to guess on coffee grounds today," the diplomat summarized.
As a reminder, the Taurus debate has flared up again in Germany after the US lifted long-range restrictions on Ukraine and Germany's early elections approached.
