**Germany’s SPD Rejects Delivery of Taurus Missiles to Ukraine**
Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has reportedly rejected the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine in its program for the upcoming February elections. The decision was made despite other major backers, such as the United States, providing long-range weaponry to Ukraine.
**Chancellor Olaf Scholz Refuses to Send Missiles**
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has long been adamant in his refusal to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles. He fears that sending these weapons could draw Germany into the war. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine previously suggested that Germany’s refusal is linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s nuclear saber-rattling.
**SPD Program Still Supports Ukraine**
The SPD program still shows support for Ukraine, stating that the party is committed to diplomatic, military, financial, and humanitarian aid. However, this comes with a warning about the need for “prudence and a sense of proportion” when providing weapons.
**CDU Candidate Friedrich Merz Offers Contrasting View**
In contrast, German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has voiced support for providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Merz visited Kyiv for talks with President Zelensky, promising a more decisive strategy on long-range strikes against Russia.
**Other Developments**
* Lithuania and Estonia have imposed sanctions against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and several government officials.
* Hungary has maintained close economic and diplomatic relations with Moscow despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
* Ukrainian authorities detained a 37-year-old resident suspected of acting on instructions from Russian special services in connection with the killing of eight members of the Chechen Akhmat unit.
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