NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to temper his criticism of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling the remarks “unfair.”
In an interview with the German news agency DPA, Rutte explained, “I have often told Zelensky that he should stop criticizing Olaf Scholz, because I think it is unfair.” His comments were in response to Ukraine’s frustration over Germany’s reluctance to provide long-range Taurus cruise missiles, with Zelensky particularly critical of Scholz’s hesitancy.
While Rutte disagrees with Scholz’s cautious stance, he expressed his support for supplying Ukraine with the Taurus missiles and emphasized that such capabilities are crucial for Ukraine’s defense. However, Rutte made it clear that the decision on what military aid to provide ultimately rests with the allies.
Zelensky had publicly criticized Scholz in November, accusing the German leader of undermining efforts to isolate Moscow by holding a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president referred to the conversation as opening a “pandora’s box.”
