Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Ukraine can now target Russian military positions with long-range missiles from Western allies, lifting range restrictions imposed until now. The decision applies to missiles provided by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other countries.
The move comes amid an escalation in Russian attacks across Ukraine, with criticism from US President Donald Trump calling Vladimir Putin “crazy”. Merz’s announcement is seen as a response to Russia’s foot-dragging in negotiations, aiming to put pressure on Moscow to take the peace process seriously.
The restrictions were imposed to prevent Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia from widening the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. However, with Ukraine seeking to hit targets such as ammunition storage sites and command centres far inside Russian territory, Merz’s decision reflects a significant change in approach from his predecessor Olaf Scholz.
Russia has responded by saying that any such decision runs “absolutely contrary” to their aspirations for reaching a political settlement, warning that it would mean NATO countries being “at war” with Moscow. Ukraine’s air force reported a record 298 drones and 69 missiles launched by Russia overnight, resulting in at least 12 deaths.
The move is also seen as a shift in the balance of power in favour of Ukraine, with the US and European allies providing significant military aid to Kyiv. The decision will likely impact future ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with some experts predicting that it could help tilt the odds in Ukraine’s favour.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/27/us-europe-lift-range-restrictions-on-ukraine-missiles-why-it-matters