NATO allies strike deal with Ukraine for 'long range fire' to hit' deep inside Russia'

Germany Confirms Lifted Restrictions on Long-Range Weapons for Ukraine

Germany remains the second-largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, behind only the United States. In a significant development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Ukraine can now use Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes, following a joint decision by the US, UK, France, and Germany to lift previous range limitations.

"Ukraine is now permitted to use weapons delivered by the British, French, Germans, and Americans without any range restrictions," Merz stated on Monday. This marks a pivotal shift in the West's approach to supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

While the Biden administration has yet to officially confirm this policy change, it signals robust backing from Washington and could grant Kyiv a substantial tactical edge. With access to Western cruise missiles, Ukraine would be able to target military sites as far as 200 miles inside Russian territory, far beyond the immediate frontlines.

Merz emphasized the significance of this expanded capability: “Ukraine can now defend itself by striking military targets within Russia — something it wasn’t able to do until recently.”

He further explained, “This is referred to as ‘long-range fire’ — supplying Ukraine with weapons capable of striking strategic targets deeper in enemy territory.”

It remains unclear whether Merz was referencing changes implemented late last year or more recent developments. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the move as “quite dangerous,” claiming it contradicts Russia’s stated interest in negotiating a resolution to the conflict.

Meanwhile, Germany's position on supplying Taurus long-range cruise missiles — which have a range of up to 310 miles — remains ambiguous. While Merz advocated for sending them while in opposition, his government has not committed to doing so. Unlike the previous administration under Olaf Scholz, which publicly detailed its military aid packages, Merz’s government has adopted a policy of “strategic ambiguity” and no longer discloses the full scope of its arms deliveries to Ukraine.