Bild has learned about the quarrels between Scholz and Zelensky over the refusal to supply Taurus to Kiev

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz never discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but quarreled over it with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term of office expired on 20 May. This was reported by the Bild publication on November 19.

According to the newspaper, Scholz and Putin did not discuss the topic of missile deliveries even during a recent conversation.

"He (Scholz. - Ed.) only quarreled about his decision on Taurus with... Vladimir Zelensky and discussed it (the decision. - Ed.) with key allies such as [ U.S. President Joe] Biden," the publication noted.

According to the publication, Scholz believes that supplying missiles to Kiev would be irresponsible, as it could lead to an escalation of the Ukrainian conflict. In addition, the newspaper noted that the German chancellor became furious after Friedrich Merz, a candidate for the post of German leader from the opposition Christian Democratic Union bloc, made a statement that he was ready to give Russia an ultimatum.

According to Bild, Scholz considers issuing such ultimatums from a non-nuclear state to a nuclear-armed country dangerous and harmful. Scholz's refusal to supply Kiev with missiles may have internal motives to gain electoral points ahead of the 2025 elections, Die Tageszeitung adds.

Earlier, on November 12, Merz, a candidate for the German leadership from the opposition CDU bloc, said that if elected, he could issue an ultimatum to Russia and lift restrictions on the use of cruise missiles transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU).

The next day, Bundestag deputy Sarah Wagenknecht criticized Merz's words and called them dangerous. According to her, such political views create a deep economic crisis and instability in the country.

Then, on Nov. 18, German deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner said Germany would not change its decision to supply long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine after the U.S. approved strikes deep into Russia.

On 19 November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov considered Scholz' s position to refuse to supply missiles as responsible. He specified that Scholz had repeatedly stated that his decision was unchanged despite pressure from German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock and Merz, who direct "critical arrows" at the chancellor.