Western powers removed range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, Merz says
German chancellor says Ukraine can defend itself ‘even by attacking military positions inside Russia’ by using weapons provided by Americans, European powers
Conference of Coalition of the willing in Kyiv with European leaders
BERLIN
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said Western powers have lifted range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia.
“There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine. Neither from the British, nor from the French, nor from us, nor from the Americans,” Merz said at the WDR European Forum in Berlin.
“This means that Ukraine can now also defend itself, for example by attacking military positions in Russia. It couldn't do that until a while ago. With very few exceptions, it didn't do that until a while ago either. But now it can do this,” he said.
The conservative leader, who became German chancellor earlier this month, did not specify when did Western powers lift these restrictions or what led to the decision.
It remained unclear whether he was referring to the previous US administration's late 2024 decision, which was coordinated with allies, or a more recent undisclosed policy change.
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