Germany and allies lift range limits on arms for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on Monday, May 26, 2025, announced a significant shift in policy, stating that Germany and its allies have lifted restrictions on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine.

Its allies include alongside the UK, France, and the United States.

According to The Guardian, this change will allow Ukraine, for the first time, to strike military targets within Russian territory using Western-supplied arms.

Merz made the statement following the largest drone attack on Ukraine by Russia since the war began.

“There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, nor by the Americans,” Merz confirmed.

He explained that Ukraine can now defend itself by targeting military positions in Russia, something it had largely refrained from doing until now.

This development signals a major escalation in the West’s military support for Kyiv.

In response, the Kremlin warned that this move was highly dangerous and counterproductive to achieving a peaceful resolution.

Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that if these decisions have indeed been made, they are completely inconsistent with the goal of reaching a political settlement.

His comment suggesting they could further hinder peace negotiations.

Merz, who assumed office less than a month ago, avoided directly confirming whether Germany would supply its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine – a move he had previously supported while in opposition.

His predecessor, Olaf Scholz, had declined to send the Taurus system, citing concerns over escalating tensions with Russia.

Now in office, Merz has taken a more guarded stance, cautioning against revealing too much about Germany’s military plans.

He emphasized the importance of “strategic ambiguity.”

Merz argued that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, a fluent German speaker, should not be able to anticipate Germany’s actions by simply watching German media.

Still, there is growing speculation in Berlin that Merz may soon formally commit to delivering Taurus missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Berlin on Wednesday.

This is a visit that analysts say could further influence Germany’s decision-making on providing additional long-range weaponry.

Merz defended the change in policy, asserting that only by removing range limitations could Ukraine effectively defend itself.

Speaking at the Europaforum hosted by broadcaster WDR, he explained that Ukraine now needs the capability to engage in “long-range fire” to strike military targets beyond its own borders.

He contrasted Ukraine’s military strategy with that of Russia, arguing that while Ukraine targets military objectives, Russia continues to target civilians.

Western leaders had previously hesitated to increase the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine.

It feared that this might provoke Russia or be interpreted as direct involvement by the supplying countries.

Russia has repeatedly warned that the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine would be seen as a direct act of war by the provider nations.

During the interview with WDR, Merz was sharply critical of President Putin, accusing him of deliberately prolonging the war.

He said Putin dismisses diplomatic efforts as signs of weakness and has shown no genuine willingness to engage in peace talks.

This was underscored by Russia’s rejection of a proposal involving the Vatican as a potential mediator.

Despite interest expressed by the Italian government and the pope in facilitating negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the idea.

He said it would be “inelegant” for the Catholic Church to mediate between two Orthodox nations.

Merz suggested that diplomatic efforts have largely been exhausted.

He defended his government and its allies against criticism from political opponents who argue not enough has been done to pursue peace.

“After the last three weeks, no one can seriously accuse us of not having exhausted all available diplomatic means,” he said.

Ukraine’s supporters, he added, have done everything short of surrendering.

“If even an offer to meet at the Vatican does not get [Putin’s] approval,” Merz said, “then we must be prepared for this war to last longer than we all wish or can imagine.”

Until now, Germany, Europe’s second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the U.S.,had limited its contributions to weapons with a maximum range of 70 kilometers (43 miles).

During his election campaign prior to the February 23rd vote, Merz had expressed a willingness to consider sending Taurus missiles.

However, it will be only if coordinated with Western allies who were either already providing similar systems or planning to do so.

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