German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s announcement that Ukraine’s Western allies, including Germany, the UK, France, and the US, are lifting range restrictions on weapons supplied to Kyiv, marks a significant shift in military policy. This decision allows Ukraine to strike military targets within Russia, potentially altering the dynamics of ceasefire
Key Points
- Range Restrictions Lifted: Merz confirmed that there are no longer range restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine, enabling Kyiv to defend itself by attacking Russian military positions.
- Russian Response: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, saying any such decision runs “absolutely contrary” to future peace settlements with Kyiv, and could change the nature of the conflict.
- Impact on Ceasefire Negotiations: According to Timothy Ash, an associate fellow at Chatham House, the move is a “response to Russian foot-dragging” and aims to pressure Russia to take negotiations seriously.
Potential Consequences
The lifting of range restrictions could lead to increased tensions between Russia and Ukraine, making ceasefire negotiations more challenging. However, it may also give Ukraine a strategic advantage, allowing it to target Russian military positions and potentially tilt the odds in its favor.
Quotes from Key Players
- Friedrich Merz: “There are no longer range restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine – neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, and not by the Americans either.”
- Dmitry Peskov: “These potential decisions, if such decisions have indeed been made, run absolutely contrary to our aspirations for reaching a political settlement.”
- Vladimir Putin: “If Ukraine’s Western allies allow it to use long-range weapons to strike inside Russia, it would mean NATO would be ‘at war’ with Moscow.”
- Donald Trump: “I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing. He’s killing a lot of people… I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”