"Kremlin expresses concern over Merz's comments, deeming them hazardous"
Germany Removes Limitations on Weapons Supplied to Ukraine, Stirring Potential Escalation
BERLIN — Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Tuesday that there would be no restrictions on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine, enabling them to strike deeper into Russian territory. Speaking at the WDR Europaforum in Berlin, Merz stated, "There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, neither by ourselves, or by the British, French, or Americans."
This policy shift deviates from that of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, who last year approved the use of German weapons with ranges extending to Russian territory within the region around the besiegement of Kharkiv. However, Scholz later expressed opposition to further lifting of these restrictions.
Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, refuted suggestions of a change in policy, underscoring that no new agreement had been reached that went beyond the actions taken by the previous government. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov denounced the new policy as "dangerous decisions."
The Mars II rocket launcher and 2000 self-propelled howitzer, with ranges of approximately 85 kilometers and 35 kilometers, respectively, are the only German weapons capable of striking targets beyond the front line. The Taurus cruise missile, with a range of 500 kilometers, remains to be supplied by Berlin. However, the USA, France, and Britain have provided Ukrainian forces with rockets reaching up to over 250 kilometers, reportedly already used against Russian territory.
Merz criticized Russia for targeting civilian areas and cities, arguing that Ukraine's inability to defend itself beyond its own territory renders its defense inadequate. Sören Pellmann, a left politician, expressed concerns that the lifting of restrictions could lead to further escalation, while Sahra Wagenknecht, head of the BSW, warned that it could potentially bring the war to Germany.
"The policy change in Germany, as announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, could potentially expand the scope of wars and conflicts, given the removal of range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine. This decision, coupled with the supply of long-range weapons by the USA, France, and Britain to Ukraine, might escalate the conflict and bring general news about war-and-conflicts closer to Germany."
"In the realm of politics, this decision by Germany, despite refutals by Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil regarding a change in policy, has the potential to transform the service of military aid into a means of greater involvement in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, thus stirring potential escalation."
