Taurus threatens us all

No delivery, no further war escalation!

Craftsmen for Peace,* Dessau-Rosslau

(5 April 2024) With French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement not to rule out the use of NATO troops and plans by some hardliners to use Taurus cruise missiles against Russia, war in Donbass looms to expand in Europe. Whatever the opinion on this war, facts remain the same for both supporters and opponents of Taurus missiles’ delivery:

1) Unlike all weapons delivered to Ukraine so far, this missile can reach Moscow. It is the main difference with Franco-British cruise missiles. It also differs with the Leopard and other Western weapon systems delivered until now. They did not pose a direct threat to Russian territory. This fact is hidden from citizens by the supporters of the project. Taurus represents a greater threat to the Russian state than anything that has been done so far – and therefore also to us.

2) Russia has red lines. It clearly laid them out. The country crosses its limitations when other states use first-strike nuclear weapons or when Russia's existence is threatened by conventional war. It is not the German Bundestag, nor NATO headquarters, nor even Washington that decides when this happens. It is Moscow which will decide, according to its own criteria. Even though many German politicians and experts claim to know that no red line is crossed with the Taurus, the decision is made elsewhere.

3) Taurus’ range makes it an incalculable risk, whether used by German experts in Ukraine or autonomously by the Ukrainians. It is no coincidence that no NATO country has so far delivered weapons that could reach the heart of Russian territory, not even the United States. Because they are all aware of the danger of a response. All those who, in their anti-Russian state of frenzy, seek the delivery of the Taurus should be aware of this. If Russia retaliates, those who requested and supported its delivery and use will also be affected. It will affect them, their children and their grandchildren. Weapons of mass destruction do not differentiate between supporters and opponents, between good guys and bad guys, between right and left. Weapons of mass destruction kill everyone without exception.

Since we are all under threat, we should all reflect as to what is most important in the fight against such weapons. Is it more important for all of us to emerge from this crisis alive, despite our differences of opinion on other issues? Or do we prefer to be united in death because we didn't want to fight against each other in life? We should choose life with all its hazards.

We, the Craftsmen for Peace, call on you all to protest against the delivery and use of the Taurus!

(Translation «Swiss Standpoint»)