It’s published •update
Western allies have not imposed scope restrictions on the use of long-range weapons delivered to Ukraine against Russian military targets, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz said on Monday.
Mertz noted that the restrictions were lifted not only by German weapons.
“There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine by the UK, France and the US, either. There are no restrictions by the US,” he said at a discussion forum hosted by public broadcaster WDR.
He said Ukraine can “protect itself by attacking Russian military facilities, for example.”
“Until recently, it couldn’t do that, and with most exceptions, it didn’t.”
The German Prime Minister emphasized that Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s “cities, kindergartens, hospitals and nursing homes” while Kiev uses weapons to target Russian military infrastructure.
“Russia will mercilessly attack civilian targets by bombing cities, kindergartens, hospitals and elderly homes. Ukraine will not.”
Merz also revealed that this was one of the reasons he visited Kiev with French, British and Polish leaders on May 10th. During his visit to the Ukrainian capital, he also said all future arms supply consultations with Ukraine will be kept secret.
In the past, Ukraine received long-range missiles from the US, UK and France, but was only allowed to use them against Russian troops in occupied Ukrainian territory.
As for Berlin, before taking office, Merz indicated that he would cancel the ban on his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, by delivering German Taurus cruise missiles that could hit targets in a range of 500 kilometers.
Speaking Monday, the German Prime Minister said, “No one can blame us for not tireing out all the diplomatic means available to us.”
Removing restrictions on the use of long-range weapons “makes a critical difference in the war in Ukraine,” explained Merz, adding that “countries that can only oppose attackers on their own territory will not properly defend them.”
