German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced at the WDR Europaforum 2025 during the WDR Europaforum 2025 in Berlin that Germany, alongside the US, UK and France, has now allowed Kiev to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike military targets deep inside Russia.
“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 stated. “Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military positions in Russia.”
In a post on X, he reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasising, “We will do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine.”
The decision marks a significant shift from earlier Western policies, which avoided supplying long-range weapons to prevent escalation with Russia.
In November 2024, the U.S. authorised Ukraine to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian targets, while the UK approved the use of Storm Shadow missiles, which Ukraine subsequently fired into Russia. France also confirmed that its SCALP missiles could be used for strikes on Russian military targets.
Merz did not specify whether Germany would supply its Taurus missile system, which has a 500-kilometre range and has been a point of contention. The previous German government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz supported Ukraine but refrained from delivering Taurus missiles, citing fears of escalating tensions with Russia, a nuclear power.
Merz has previously advocated for sending Taurus missiles but remained ambiguous on Monday about Germany’s plans, aligning with the new government’s “strategic ambiguity” policy regarding weapons deliveries.
Moscow reacts
The Kremlin swiftly condemned the move, calling it “dangerous” and counterproductive to peace efforts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking to Russian journalist Alexander Yunashev, said, “If these decisions have indeed been made, they are completely at odds with our aspirations for a political resolution.”
Peskov warned that such actions could escalate the conflict, particularly as Russia has accused NATO of providing targeting data for Ukraine’s long-range strikes, which could imply direct Western involvement.
Russia has long criticised Western arms supplies to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict. Moscow’s concerns intensified after Ukraine began using Western-supplied long-range weapons, such as Storm Shadow and ATACMS, against Russian targets in 2024.
In response, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine in November 2024, expanding conditions for a potential nuclear response to include aggression by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power, which it considers a “joint attack.” Despite this, the doctrine states that nuclear weapons are an “extreme and forced measure.”
The policy shift comes amid tentative peace efforts. Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since 2022, agreeing to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap and to present detailed ceasefire proposals.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is preparing a memorandum outlining principles and a timeline for a peace settlement. Peskov stressed that lifting weapons restrictions undermines these efforts.
Sources: Deutsche Welle, RT
