Germany and Ukraine to collaborate on developing extended-range weaponry, while U.N. investigators implicate Russia in war crimes.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a significant shift in military cooperation between Germany and Ukraine on Wednesday, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Berlin plans to help Kyiv develop and produce long-range weapons that can strike targets inside Russian territory, Merz revealed.
Merz explained that both countries' defense ministers would sign a memorandum of understanding for the production of long-range weapons systems, although he did not disclose technical details or the manufacturers involved.
"There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory," Merz told a joint news conference.
Zelenskyy's trip to Berlin follows some of the heaviest missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine, and as President Trump voices growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian president accused Russia of stalling peace talks and said Moscow did not want to halt its three-year invasion.
In a report published on Wednesday, a panel of United Nations experts concluded that Russia's military had committed "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" in its drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's Kherson region. The Russian armed forces were "systematically" hitting civilians, the inquiry said.
The cooperation between Germany and Ukraine marks a significant shift in military-industrial collaboration, with both countries planning to jointly produce long-range weapons. The agreement, announced on May 28, 2025, includes German financing for the production of these weapons, which are already in use by Ukrainian forces. The specifics of the agreement have not been fully disclosed due to a strategic decision to maintain ambiguity.
The long-range missiles, capable of striking deep inside Russian territory, are intended to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities, allowing it to target military objectives outside its borders. The German defense ministry has announced that the long-range weapons systems are already in service with Ukrainian forces and can be deployed rapidly.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that the German-Ukrainian partnership would escalate tension between Russia and Europe, adding: "Germany is directly drawn into this war." Meanwhile, Putin aide Yuri Ushakov suggested that President Trump was not being adequately informed about the situation.
References:[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-back-ukraines-bid-longer-range-weapons-against-russia-2025-05-28/[2] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-agrees-to-finance-ukraines-long-range-missile-program/a-62182729
- The cooperation between Germany and Ukraine in the production of long-range weapons signifies a significant shift in military-industrial collaboration, falling under the category of 'general news' and 'crime-and-justice'.
- The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, announced a plan to help Ukraine develop and produce long-range weapons capable of striking targets within Russian territory, which can be categorized as 'politics' and 'war-and-conflicts'.
- The news of the German-Ukrainian partnership in weapon production, and Germany's intent to provide financing for it, has sparked concern of escalating tensions between Russia and Europe, making it a part of 'general news' and 'politics'.
- The UN panel's report accusing the Russian military of committing "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" in drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's Kherson region falls under 'news', 'war-and-conflicts', and 'crime-and-justice'.
