Merz clarifies call to lift strike range limits for Ukraine against Russia
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
Several months ago, Ukraine's allies decided to lift restrictions on the use of the weapons they had provided. This move is meant to allow Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, Bloomberg reports, citing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"As far as I know, and as I reported yesterday, the countries that had range restrictions have abandoned these restrictions," Merz said.
During his visit to Finland, Merz stated: "I described what has been happening for months, namely that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders."
Since taking office earlier this month, Merz has moved away from the cautious approach of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, adopting a tougher stance in support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Scholz had only allowed limited use of German weapons against targets on Russian territory, authorizing strikes on positions near the Kharkiv border.
On May 26, Merz declared in Berlin that there are "absolutely no range limits anymore" on the weapons supplied to Ukraine by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. "That means Ukraine can defend itself by attacking military positions also in Russia," the German Chancellor added.
Western systems
Germany has supplied Ukraine with weapons systems that can be used to fire across the Russian border. These include armored self-propelled howitzers and the MARS II multiple-rocket launcher, which has a range of up to 84 kilometers (52 miles).
In recent weeks, European allies have sought to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin to join a US-led campaign for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. However, Putin has stalled and refused to retreat from his maximalist demands toward Ukraine.
Last year, the outgoing Biden administration in the US approved the deployment of Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, in border areas, while the United Kingdom authorized the use of its Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike targets deep within Russian territory.
Ukraine has for years requested that Germany provide long-range Taurus cruise missiles, but Scholz refused, stating that Berlin must avoid any actions that could draw the country directly into the conflict. The Taurus missiles, with a range of about 500 kilometers, could be used to strike Moscow from Ukrainian territory.
During the German election campaign, Merz expressed willingness to supply the missiles to Ukraine, but since taking office, he has declined to set out his plans. The government has stated it will not comment on specific weapons systems being supplied to Ukraine.
