Germany has lifted all limits on Ukraine using long-range missiles to strike Russian targets. The move was confirmed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday. This decision follows a weekend of heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv and nearby areas.
“This move allows Ukraine to defend itself more decisively,” Merz said in Berlin. He explained that the UK, France, Germany, and the U.S. now allow Ukraine to use their weapons without range limits.
The change marks a major shift. For a long time, Western countries stopped Ukraine from using foreign missiles to hit inside Russia. But recent Russian drone and missile strikes killed more than 24 civilians, including children. These attacks pushed Western allies to act.
Merz said Ukraine can now hit Russian military targets directly. He added that such actions are part of self-defense under current wartime rules.
The announcement shows how Germany’s policy has changed. Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz had blocked Ukraine from using German weapons for strikes on Russian soil. But Merz, who became chancellor only weeks ago, is taking a firmer approach.
Even so, Merz did not say whether Germany will send Taurus cruise missiles. In the past, he supported sending them. But now, as chancellor, he gave no clear answer.
The United States made a similar change months ago. President Joe Biden lifted limits in late 2024. This allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made ATACMS missiles to hit Russian areas. These missiles arrived in Ukraine for the first time in April 2024.
At first, many U.S. officials were worried. They feared this could drain U.S. supplies or spark a wider war. But support for Ukraine grew stronger after more Russian attacks. Lawmakers from both parties now call for tougher actions against the Kremlin.
“We must be honest. Peace talks have failed,” said U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. He and other lawmakers want the U.S. and its allies to give Ukraine everything it needs to win.
Russia strongly opposed the new German policy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it “extremely dangerous.” He said it damages hopes for peace and warned of serious consequences. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier said that missile attacks backed by nuclear nations would be seen as joint attacks. He also warned of nuclear retaliation if Russian targets are hit from outside the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new support. On Sunday, he said, “Without strong pressure on Moscow, these brutal attacks will go on.” He plans to visit Berlin on Wednesday to speak with German leaders.
As the war goes into its fourth year, Ukraine is gaining more support. Western allies are changing their rules to let Ukraine fight back more freely. This shows a united front in the face of growing Russian aggression.
Zelensky and his team continue to call for more help. He believes Ukraine must strike back hard to stop the war. The new freedom to use long-range missiles gives Ukraine a stronger hand.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also spoken out. He called Putin’s actions reckless. But he also said Zelensky should be more careful with his words. Trump said strong words can make peace harder to reach.
Still, many in Europe and the U.S. now agree: Ukraine must be allowed to defend itself fully. The recent policy shift shows that major allies now support stronger actions against Russia.