A large majority of people in Germany support Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision not to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, a new survey shows.
In a recent poll conducted by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of dpa, only 28% were in favour of providing the missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometres, for Ukraine's defence against Russia.
Some 58% are against the delivery of the weapon system. More than half of that 58%, a total of 31% of respondents, reject in principle any support for Ukraine with German weapons. Some 14% did not give an opinion.
The survey of 2,169 Germans who are eligible to vote was conducted from March 1 to March 5.
Behind Scholz's decision is the fear that Germany could become involved in the war if the cruise missiles hit Russian territory.
Scholz has struck a nerve with the population. According to YouGov surveys, opposition to delivering the Taurus missile platform has grown in recent weeks. At the beginning of February, 31% were still in favour and only 49% against when asked the same question.
However, the mood among people in Germany contradicts the prevailing opinion in the Bundestag.
In addition to the coalition parties of the Greens and the Free Democrats, the conservative opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and their sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), are also in favour of the delivery of the Taurus missiles.