Germany has joined the list of Western countries lifting restrictions on the range of weapons provided to Ukraine to help Kyiv fight against Russian invasion.
"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," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Monday while addressing the WDR Europaforum 2025 at a digital conference in Berlin.
Speaking after days of Russia’s record drone attacks across Ukraine, Merz explained that lifting range limits would enable Ukraine “defend itself, for example, by attacking military positions in Russia. With very few exceptions, it didn't do that until recently. It can now do that. Furthermore, he reiterated Berlin’s commitment to do “everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine."
The Kremlin slammed Germany’s decision to lift range restrictions on missiles provided to Ukraine. Commenting on Merz's statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media that Berlin’s decision to lift range limit was “rather dangerous”.
“If such decisions are made, they will absolutely go against our aspirations to reach a political settlement and the efforts being made within the framework of the settlement,” Peskov said.
Kremlin has repeatedly warned that any lifting of restrictions on long-range weapons would mean war with NATO. The United States was the first country to lift restriction on Ukraine’s using long-range missiles to strike targets deep in Russian territory.
