German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced strong criticism from NATO allies for suggesting that UK and French troops have been deployed to Ukraine to assist with the firing of long-range missiles supplied by these countries. Scholz's comments regarding the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine were met with dismay and condemnation from key figures within the defense community.

During a discussion on Germany's reluctance to supply Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles, Scholz claimed that German boots on the ground were necessary to provide target control, insinuating that British and French personnel were already present in Ukraine and experienced in handling such missiles. This statement by the German Chancellor has sparked outrage and debate.

Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who was in office during the initial supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles to Ukraine, criticized Scholz's remarks, calling them both dangerous and factually incorrect. Wallace expressed concern about the security implications of such statements and questioned Scholz's suitability for his role amid rising tensions in Europe.

Tobias Ellwood, the former chairman of the UK House of Commons Defence Committee, accused Scholz of deliberately using faulty intelligence to divert attention from Germany's reluctance to provide Ukraine with its own long-range missile system. Ellwood also warned that Scholz's comments could potentially escalate tensions with Moscow.

The British Ministry of Defence refrained from confirming the potential involvement of British troops in Ukraine as suggested by Scholz. However, they emphasized that Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles and their targeting processes should be considered the responsibility of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In May 2023, the UK provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, followed by Paris supplying their SCALP variants. These missiles have reportedly been used effectively against Russian targets, including the killing of a high-ranking Russian general in occupied Berdyansk, as well as multiple strikes on Russia's Black Sea Fleet and its infrastructure.

Questions have arisen about how Ukraine was able to equip NATO-standard missiles onto Soviet-standard Su-24 tactical bombers. Speculations have emerged regarding the use of decommissioned NATO aircraft pylons to achieve this functionality. Furthermore, there are inquiries about the process of entering coordinates into the system, with some suggesting that they must be entered pre-flight due to possible incompatibility between Soviet avionics and Storm Shadow missiles.

Scholz's remarks have stirred controversy within the international community and have drawn attention to the delicate geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, the accuracy and responsibility of public statements from political leaders become increasingly significant.