On May 26, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany, along with the United States, United Kingdom, and France, had lifted all range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to target military positions within Russia. This significant policy shift was declared during a WDR public television forum, where Merz stated, “There are no longer any range restrictions for weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine — neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, and not by the Americans either.”
Merz emphasized that this change enables Ukraine to defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, a capability it previously lacked. He referred to this as “long-range fire,” supplying Ukraine with weapons that can strike military targets in the hinterland.
However, this announcement sparked controversy within Germany. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, representing the Social Democratic Party, contradicted Merz’s statement, asserting that there had been no new agreements beyond the previous government’s policy. Klingbeil stated, “There are no new decisions on this issue,” emphasizing that Germany had not changed its stance on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine.
The Kremlin responded critically to Merz’s declaration. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that lifting range restrictions would be “quite dangerous” and counterproductive to political settlement efforts. He stated, “These potential decisions, if indeed such decisions have taken place, are absolutely contrary to our aspirations to reach a political settlement.”
This development comes amid escalating tensions, with Russia launching its largest drone assault on Ukraine to date. The policy shift marks a significant escalation in support for Ukraine, aimed at strengthening its defense capabilities.
While Merz’s statement indicates a unified stance among Western allies, the internal disagreement within the German government highlights the complexity of the issue. The situation continues to evolve as Ukraine navigates its defense strategy amid ongoing conflict.
