German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Monday that Ukraine is now permitted to use Western-supplied weapons to strike military targets inside Russia, a major shift in policy from earlier in the war.
Speaking at the WDR European Forum in Berlin, Merz said that Western allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany have lifted previous restrictions on how far Ukraine could use the weapons provided to them.
"There are no longer any range limits on the weapons sent to Ukraine", Merz stated. "That means Ukraine can now defend itself by, for example, attacking military positions inside Russia. Until recently, that wasn't allowed and with a few exceptions, Ukraine wasn't doing it. But now it can".
This change could significantly alter Ukraine’s ability to respond to Russian attacks, giving Kyiv more options to target bases, missile launch sites, and logistics centers located across the border in Russian territory.
However, Merz didn't say exactly when these restrictions were lifted or what led to the decision. It's also unclear whether he was referring to a move made by the previous U.S. administration in late 2024 — which was reportedly coordinated with European allies — or a more recent shift that hasn't yet been made public.
Merz, who only became chancellor earlier this month, did not go into detail about what specific weapons systems or conditions are involved. But his comments suggest a united front among Western powers in giving Ukraine more flexibility on how to use the military aid it receives.
Following remarks by, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that any European move to provide Kyiv with enhanced long-range missile capabilities would be a dangerous escalation. A German official later clarified that Merz’s comments did not signal a shift in Berlin’s policy.
This development comes at a critical time in the war, as Ukraine continues to defend its territory and infrastructure amid renewed Russian offensives and ongoing missile and drone attacks.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emerge...
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party has said its chairman, Mindaugas Sinkevicius, is preparing to become the country’s next prime minister,...
Kazakhstan has signed a $10 billion agreement with Firebird and NVIDIA to build one of Central Asia's largest AI computing hubs, as governments increa...
A secretive offshore oil transfer network backed by U.S. military support has helped keep Gulf energy exports flowing despite major disruption around ...
Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party has said its chairman, Mindaugas Sinkevicius, is preparing to become the country’s next prime minister, replacing Inga Ruginiene.
A secretive offshore oil transfer network backed by U.S. military support has helped keep Gulf energy exports flowing despite major disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a Reuters investigation has found.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in advancing peace efforts in the South Caucasus, describing recent diplomatic developments as an important step towards long-term regional stability.
Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday (16 June) as traders assessed the possibility of oil supplies returning through the Strait of Hormuz following a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the conflict involving Iran.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party has said its chairman, Mindaugas Sinkevicius, is preparing to become the country’s next prime minister, replacing Inga Ruginiene.
The United Kingdom has imposed a new wave of sanctions on Russia, targeting key financial institutions, logistics networks and vessels accused of helping Moscow sustain its war in Ukraine.
Ukraine has said it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Moscow region, marking one of the deepest reported attacks into Russian territory in recent months.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
A Chinese-linked hacking group secretly stole data from academic, medical and military research institutions in the U.S. and Canada for more than a year before being discovered, according to a report published by Google on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment