Germany vows to support Ukraine in producing long-range missiles

Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, pledged significant military support to Ukraine, informing President Volodymyr Zelensky that Berlin will assist Kyiv in developing long-range missile.

The BBC  reports that the missiles, according to Merz, will carry capabilities to strengthen its defense against Russian aggression.

Merz, who took office earlier this month, emphasized a new era in German policy by committing to increased aid for Ukraine.

This includes cooperation on missile production.

While he did not confirm whether Germany would directly supply Taurus missiles, long-range precision-guided weapons with a 500km range, Merz indicated that discussions on production are underway.

He also disclosed that a formal agreement would be signed soon between the two nations’ defense ministries.

Though he avoided naming the Taurus missiles specifically during his press conference with Zelensky, Merz stated that a memorandum of understanding concerning long-range missiles would be finalized later that day.

His comments suggest a decisive shift in Germany’s stance, notably from his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s more reserved approach.

Merz also highlighted that Western allies had already agreed to remove limitations on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine.

This effectively lifts restrictions that previously prevented Kyiv from striking targets deep within Russian territory.

The move comes amid stern warnings from the Kremlin.

Russian officials have described the decision to lift range restrictions as dangerous, claiming it could damage any hopes of a political resolution.

However, Merz appeared undeterred, reiterating that the shift in policy had been agreed upon months earlier by Western partners.

His assertive posture signals a departure from the cautious tone of the previous German administration, indicating a willingness to confront potential backlash from Moscow in order to support Ukraine more robustly.

During the joint press conference, Merz assured Ukraine of continued German backing for as long as necessary.

He also warned Russia that its resistance to further peace negotiations would bring “real consequences.”

Zelensky, for his part, expressed openness to renewed diplomatic efforts.

His comment suggested that potential talks could involve a trilateral format with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While the Kremlin did not outright reject the idea, its spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted that such a meeting would only occur after concrete agreements were reached through diplomatic channels.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian and Russian officials held their first direct talks in over three years in Istanbul.

However, these discussions involved only low-level representatives and yielded limited results, with a prisoner exchange being the sole agreement reached.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested on Wednesday that new talks could be scheduled soon.

Although he underscored Moscow’s objective of securing Ukraine’s status as a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear country.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed growing frustration with Russia’s apparent lack of commitment to the peace process.

He criticized Putin following a Russian missile strike that killed 13 Ukrainian civilians, including children.

Trump accused Putin of “playing with fire” and warned of consequences if aggression continues.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said he had spoken to Trump and urged the United States to impose stricter sanctions on Russia.

He requested the sanctions particularly target its banking and energy sectors.

Zelensky noted that Trump had agreed sanctions would follow if Russia failed to de-escalate.

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, military tensions remain high.

Ukraine launched a significant drone offensive overnight, one of its largest yet, targeting Russian positions.

Zelensky reported that Russia had launched over 900 drones over a recent three-day period, escalating pressure on Ukrainian defenses.

On the front lines, Ukrainian forces are facing renewed Russian assaults in the northeast, particularly along the Sumy front.

According to President Zelensky, Moscow has deployed more than 50,000 troops in the region, with Russian forces capturing several Ukrainian villages.

Russian President Putin has framed this military push as an effort to establish “security buffer zones.”

Sumy’s regional governor, Oleh Hryhorov, confirmed the capture of four villages and said fighting was ongoing near other settlements.

Now entering its fourth year, the war has taken a devastating toll, with tens of thousands dead and widespread destruction across Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions.

Russia continues to occupy roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.

Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately stalling peace negotiations.

Also, he claimed Moscow has yet to deliver on a promised memorandum following the Istanbul talks.

The Kremlin, however, maintains that the document is in its final stages.

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