On May 27, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified that the decision to lift range restrictions on Western-supplied weapons to Ukraine was made months prior, emphasizing that his recent statements were not indicative of a new policy shift.
Speaking at a press conference in Turku, Finland, alongside Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Merz stated:
“The issue of limiting the range of deployed weapons played a role a few months and a few years ago. As far as I know, and as I said yesterday, the countries that imposed range limitations have long since abandoned these requirements.”
This clarification follows Merz’s comments on May 26, where he announced that Germany, along with the UK, France, and the US, had lifted all range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to target military positions within Russia.
Internal Disagreement Within German Government
Despite Merz’s clarification, internal disagreements within the German government have surfaced. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, a member of the Social Democratic Party, stated that there have been no new agreements regarding the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine, emphasizing continuity with the previous government’s policies.
The Kremlin has expressed concern over the potential escalation resulting from the lifting of range restrictions. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that such decisions are “quite dangerous” and could hinder efforts toward a political settlement.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face intensified Russian attacks, with recent reports indicating the largest drone assault since the beginning of the conflict.
