Merz: Ukraine can use delivered weapons without extensive reach

Against the background of unsuccessful peace efforts and constant Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized continuing military support for Ukraine. According to it, the country can now defend itself differently.

« There are no longer any reach restrictions on weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British nor of the French, nor of us, nor are the Americans, » said the CDU politician at the « WDR Europaforum 2025 » at the digital conference Re: publica in Berlin.

At the beginning of the Russian war of attack, the west of Ukraine had not delivered far -reaching weapons to prevent the conflict escalating. In the meantime, Great Britain and France have supplied Kiev with Storm Shadow/Scalp’s type. In Germany, the discussion about the delivery of Taurus marching aircraft with a range of 500 km runs.

Moscow warned Berlin to Kyiv before the delivery of such weapons. This would make Germany a direct party of war. This weapon type was not explicitly discussed in the conversation with Merz.

Merz: Putin sees the offer of conversation as a weakness

Merz continued that Ukraine could now also defend itself, for example by attacking military positions in Russia. Until some time ago, she did not skill she. « She can do that now. » He did not give any further details. There were first reports in November, according to which Ukraine had fired far-reaching rockets of the ATACMS type from US production and British Storm Shadow’s British Aircraft bodies on military goals in Russia.

Russia ruthlessly civil goals and bombies cities, said Merz. Ukraine doesn’t do that, it should stay that way. « But a country that can only oppose an attacker in its own territory does not defend itself sufficiently. »

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin obviously sees discussion offers as a weakness, Merz said with a view to the efforts of the West in the past few weeks. « The allegation of not working out all diplomatic means that there is, nobody can make us seriously. »