BERLIN

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday reaffirmed military support for Ukraine, and said Kyiv must have the military means to strike Russian territory.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Finnish counterpart Petteri Orpo in Finland's Turku, Merz clarified his Monday remarks on Western powers removing range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine.

“Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives beyond its own borders against military targets on Russian territory. In my view, this is necessary, because those who only fend off an attack on their own territory cannot defend themselves sufficiently,” he told reporters.

“Only those who are able to attack military bases located on the aggressor's territory can defend themselves. In this respect, Ukraine has long been rightly empowered to truly defend itself against Russian aggression,” he added.

Merz explained that the Western powers' decision he mentioned yesterday was made several months ago, noting that countries which had previously placed range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine have since abandoned these limitations.