In a significant shift in Western military support for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that key allies, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States, have removed range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine.

According to Le Monde, his development allows Kyiv to utilize long-range weaponry to strike military targets inside Russia, marking a notable escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Speaking at the 27th international WDR Europaforum on May 26, 2025, Merz emphasized that the decision enables Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities.

“There are no longer any limits on long-range strikes with weapons transferred to Ukraine — not from Britain, not from France, not from us.

Nor from the United States,” he stated, as reported by Le Monde. He further noted, “This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military positions on Russian territory. Until now, it was not able to do that.”

This policy change follows years of cautious Western support, where Ukraine was initially permitted to use long-range missiles, such as the U.S.-provided ATACMS, British Storm Shadow, and French SCALP, only against Russian forces within occupied Ukrainian territories.

The lifting of these restrictions, which began to ease in late 2024 under the U.S. Biden administration, reflects a response to Ukraine’s persistent calls to target Russian military infrastructure directly, particularly missile launch sites threatening Ukrainian cities.

Merz’s announcement comes amid stalled peace negotiations and heightened tensions.

The German chancellor highlighted the contrast between Ukraine’s targeted strikes on military facilities and Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure, including “cities, kindergartens, hospitals, and care homes.”

While Merz did not confirm whether Germany would now supply its Taurus cruise missiles—capable of striking targets 500 kilometers away—he had previously signaled support for such deliveries before taking office, provided they were coordinated with allies.

The decision has sparked concerns about escalation, with the Kremlin warning that it could derail ongoing peace talks.

Russian officials, including State Duma Defense Committee chairman Andrei Kartapolov, described the move as a reaction to Ukraine’s demands for increased support, asserting Russia’s preparedness for such developments.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the easing of restrictions, arguing it complicates his efforts to broker peace between Kyiv and Moscow.

Merz’s remarks also underscore Germany’s evolving stance under his leadership.

Having assumed office in early May 2025, he has vowed to maintain robust military support for Ukraine while reducing public disclosure of arms deliveries to maintain “strategic ambiguity.”

This shift follows three years of transparency under his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, who had resisted supplying Taurus missiles due to fears of escalating tensions with Russia.

As Ukraine gains greater flexibility to use Western-supplied weapons, the international community watches closely.

Merz’s statement signals a unified Western commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense, but it also raises questions about the future of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

With peace talks faltering—most recently with Russia’s reluctance to accept a Vatican-hosted meeting—the lifting of range restrictions may prolong the war, as Merz himself acknowledged: “We must be prepared for this war to last longer than we all wish or can imagine.”

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