The delivery of Germany's Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine continues to face obstacles. (Source: SAAB)

* Ukraine strives to equip air defense systems : On October 4, in an online speech, President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed: “We are doing everything to equip more air defense systems before winter… We are currently waiting for a specific decision from our partners.” However, he did not give further details.

According to Mr. Zelensky, the regions of Ukraine should pay attention to protecting important facilities and rebuilding "as soon as possible".

Kiev has warned that Moscow is resuming its air campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure last year, leaving millions without heating and clean water for extended periods.

This week, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a strategy to protect Ukraine from Russia's offensive on its energy grid.

* Chancellor Scholz refused to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine : On October 4, German newspaper Bild quoted informed sources from the German and Ukrainian governments confirming this.

Specifically, since May 2023, Ukraine has asked Germany to supply the country with Taurus long-range missiles after France and the UK have delivered Scalp and Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Kiev, to help Ukraine attack targets from a distance. Related statements by the German Defense Minister, Foreign Minister and Finance Minister have raised hopes that Kiev could receive the Taurus missiles by this fall at the latest.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to transfer this type of advanced missile. Although Berlin has not officially spoken out, internal information makes it clear that the country will not send Taurus missiles. In theory, Mr. Scholz still leaves open that it could happen in the future, but the transfer of such missiles is very unlikely.

Last week, at an internal meeting of the German parliament’s foreign affairs committee, when asked why France and Britain had supplied long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine but Germany had not, he replied that those two countries “can do things that we are not allowed to do, so the question is not raised.”

According to Bild , this is Germany's refusal to supply Taurus missiles. It seems that, according to him, Britain and France directly monitor the coordinates of the targets of the transferred missiles, and London even has forces on the spot.

In addition to the issue of coordinates and personnel, Mr. Scholz is also said to have expressed concern that the Taurus cruise missile could be used to attack the Crimean bridge. In recent weeks, there have been discussions between representatives of the British and German governments, in which London officials want to convince Berlin to transfer the Taurus missiles to Kiev. According to Bild , during these discussions, the German side was concerned that the Taurus missiles could be used to attack the Crimean bridge.

* Mr. Biden : Political instability in the US could threaten aid to Ukraine : On October 4, when asked whether the loss of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy could affect funding for Ukraine, US President Joe Biden replied: "That worries me. But I know the majority of members of the House and Senate from both parties have said they support aid to Ukraine."

At the same time, he called on Republicans to stop infighting and return to providing “critical” support to Kiev. The US president is expected to make a major speech soon on the need to support Ukraine against Russian military activity, after the chaos in Washington has worried allies.