Ischinger calls for more robust response from the West to Russia’s crimes

In the aftermath of Russia's recent air raids targeting schools, residential buildings, shopping centers, and a maternity clinic in Ukraine, there is a growing call for a more robust response from the West. Wolfgang Ischinger, the former Chief of the Munich Security Conference, has taken a bold stance, urging a shift from a reactive to an active strategy. Ischinger proposes issuing an ultimatum to Moscow, signaling that in the event of further attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, Taurus cruise missiles would be delivered to Ukraine the following day. Ischinger's proposal, shared on the online platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizes the need for a stronger and more assertive approach by the Western nations. He questions the current reactive stance toward Moscow, labeling it as a flawed strategy. The suggestion of delivering Taurus cruise missiles is not entirely new, as similar calls have been made by factions within the Ampel coalition in Germany. However, the German government has thus far refrained from providing Ukraine with these long-range missiles, which have a range of over 500 kilometers, potentially enabling strikes on weapon depots and supply lines within Russian territory. Simultaneously, Rüdiger von Fritsch, the former German Ambassador to Russia, echoes Ischinger's sentiment, advocating for increased engagement in supporting Ukraine. Fritsch issues a stark warning about the potential consequences if Russia emerges victorious in the ongoing war. He argues that such an outcome would pave the way for the continuation of Vladimir Putin's neoimperialist policies, posing not only a threat to the freedom and independence of Ukraine but also targeting the autonomy and freedom of the entire Western world. Amid one of the most intense waves of Russian attacks on Ukraine since the war began, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy describes the situation as a "terrorist attack" orchestrated by Russia. The attacks have resulted in the death of at least 39 people and the injury of over 120 others. Nearly 120 cities and villages have sustained damage, requiring ongoing recovery efforts.