German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Monday that Western allies have removed all restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons provided by them against military targets located within Russia.
Merz clarified that this decision applies not only to German-supplied weaponry but also to arms delivered by the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Speaking at a discussion forum organized by the public broadcaster WDR, Merz said, “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the UK, France, nor us. There are no restrictions by the US either.”
He emphasized that Ukraine now has the ability to “defend itself, for example, by attacking military facilities in Russia,” a capability that was previously limited with only “very few exceptions.”
The German Chancellor highlighted the disparity in targeting, noting that while Ukraine is now able to strike Russian military infrastructure, Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian “cities, kindergartens, hospitals and care homes” with “completely ruthless” bombing. He contrasted this by stating that “Ukraine doesn’t do that.”
Merz further revealed that the lifting of these restrictions was a key point of discussion during his visit to Kyiv on May 10, alongside the leaders of France, the UK, and Poland. During that trip, he also indicated that future arms supply discussions with Ukraine would remain confidential.
Previously, Ukraine had received long-range missiles from the US, the UK, and France but was restricted to using them against Russian military forces situated in occupied Ukrainian territories. Regarding Germany, before assuming office, Chancellor Merz had indicated his intention to overturn his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s ban on the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range of approximately 500 kilometers.
Speaking on Monday, Chancellor Merz asserted, “Nobody can now reproach us for not having exhausted all the diplomatic means available to us.” He explained that removing the restrictions on the use of long-range weapons would make “the decisive difference in Ukraine’s warfare,” arguing that “a country that can only oppose an attacker on its own territory is not defending itself adequately.”
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