German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Ukraine has permission to use weapons supplied by its allies to launch strikes deep inside Russia.
“There are absolutely no range limits anymore for weapons delivered to Ukraine, not from Britain, the French or from us – also not from the Americans,” Merz said at a conference in Berlin on Monday. "That means Ukraine can defend itself by attacking military positions also in Russia.”
Ukraine’s Western allies are trying to intensify pressure on the Kremlin after Moscow launched its biggest drone barrage against Ukraine since the full-scale invasion over three years ago. European leaders have condemned what they call Russia’s foot-dragging as efforts to lock in a ceasefire have gone nowhere.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long pleaded for authorization to hit targets within Russian territory to disrupt logistics networks and personnel – and to hit weaponry used in attacks on Ukraine. That appeal has gained added resonance with Russia’s fresh set of attacks as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reluctance to engage in serious talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier expressed his frustration with Putin over a stalled bid to end the war. On Sunday, the U.S. leader said he was considering new sanctions on Russia and called Putin “absolutely CRAZY!” for “needlessly killing a lot of people” with drone and missile attacks, Bloomberg said.
