Germany and Ukraine’s other allies scrap range limits on arms sent to Kyiv

 

Western Allies Lift Restrictions on Long-Range Weapons for Ukraine

Germany, the UK, France, and the United States have agreed to lift range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, in a significant policy shift aimed at bolstering Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the change, stating that Ukraine is now authorized to use Western-supplied weapons to strike military targets inside Russian territory. "There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine – not from Britain, France, Germany, or the United States," Merz said Monday, following Russia’s largest drone assault on Ukraine since the start of the war.

"This means Ukraine can now target military positions in Russia," he added. "With few exceptions, this hasn’t happened until now."

The Kremlin condemned the move as "dangerous" and harmful to peace prospects. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that such decisions undermine political dialogue and escalate the conflict.

Merz, who assumed office less than three weeks ago, declined to say whether Germany would send long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv. While he had supported the idea while in opposition, his current stance is more cautious. He has emphasized the need for "strategic ambiguity" in Germany’s military planning, arguing that openly discussing arms deliveries could benefit Moscow.

However, speculation in Berlin is growing that Merz may soon announce a commitment to deliver Taurus missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Berlin on Wednesday, possibly prompting such a development.

Defending the policy shift, Merz argued that removing range limits is essential for Ukraine’s self-defense. Speaking at the WDR Europaforum conference, he said: “We call it ‘long-range fire’—enabling Ukraine to strike military objectives beyond its borders. That’s the critical difference: Ukraine targets military sites, while Russia targets civilians.”

Until now, Germany—second only to the US in military support for Ukraine—had only supplied weapons with a maximum range of 70 kilometers (43 miles).

Western leaders had long resisted providing longer-range systems, fearing escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia. Moscow has repeatedly warned that supplying such weapons could be seen as direct involvement in the conflict.

Merz also took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of deliberately prolonging the war by refusing to engage in genuine peace talks. “Putin sees offers of negotiations as weakness,” Merz said.

Hopes for Vatican-hosted talks faded after Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the idea, calling it “inelegant” for the Catholic Church to mediate between two Orthodox nations.

Merz suggested diplomatic channels have been exhausted, countering critics in the German parliament who claim his government has not done enough to pursue peace. “No one can seriously say we haven’t tried every diplomatic avenue,” he said. “If even a Vatican meeting is rejected by Putin, we must prepare for a longer war than anyone wants or expects.”