German chancellor confirms Ukraine can now use long-range weapons

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that the decision to remove limitations on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine was made several months ago.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo during his visit to Finland, Merz clarified the status of international arms support to Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

"The issue of limiting the range of deployed weapons played a role a few months and a few years ago. As far as I know, and as I said yesterday [May 26], the countries that imposed range limitations have long since abandoned these requirements," Merz said. 

"In this respect, yesterday [May 26] in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory," he added. 

Earlier, the chancellor declared the lifting of all range limits on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine by the UK, France, Germany, and the US.

Merz emphasised that the next critical step is to equip Ukraine with long-range weaponry. He further revealed that Germany is prepared to provide Kyiv with Taurus cruise missiles, subject to approval from EU partners.

By Naila Huseynova