Munich, 1 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday once again defended his refusal to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

When asked by dpa about the decision at the International Craft Fair in Munich, Scholz said "this is not something we can provide at this time."

He had already declared his position about the Taurus systems in the past and has made that position clear.

"This is a decision that I made as chancellor and I stand by it just as much."

Scholz emphasized that there are currently "very many arguments" against the delivery of the advanced long-range cruise missiles.

"And I will say once again that I will not support any decision that results in German soldiers somehow becoming involved in a military operation in connection with Russia's terrible war against Ukraine."

Scholz already made similar comments days ago, stating that the Taurus weapon system was very far-reaching and needed to be programmed, something that Scholz said could require the participation of German soldiers.

An escalation of the war into a war between Russia and NATO must be prevented, the chancellor said.

"I agree on this with all my friends in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. And that's why everything that needs to be said on this subject has been said."

Taurus is a German-Swedish air-launched precision weapon that can hit targets at a range of 500 kilometres.

The German conservative opposition is still calling for the missiles to be delivered to Ukraine, while Scholz's own coalition partners - the Greens and the Free Democratic Party - are also largely in favour and have criticized Scholz for his refusal to send the missiles.

There have also been repeated calls from Ukraine for the delivery of the long-range weapons.

Photo: EPA