German Chancellor Merz gives green light for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia

BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine has been given permission to use weapons supplied by its allies to launch strikes deep inside Russia. 

“There are absolutely no range limits any more for weapons delivered to Ukraine, not from Britain, the French or from us – also not from the Americans,” Mr Merz said at a conference in Berlin on May 26. “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 Zelensky has long pleaded for authorisation 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 Mr Putin’s reluctance to engage in serious talks. 

US President Donald Trump earlier

expressed his frustration with Mr Putin

over a stalled bid to end the war. On May 25, the US leader said he was considering new sanctions on Russia and called Mr Putin “absolutely CRAZY!” for “needlessly killing a lot of people” with drone and missile attacks. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that, if confirmed, a decision to allow long-range strikes could undermine efforts towards reaching a political settlement, according to Interfax news agency. He called such a decision “dangerous”.

The Kremlin brushed aside Mr Trump’s criticism as an “emotional reaction” and defended the deadly campaign of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine. 

The Kremlin’s reaction has underlined Mr Putin’s willingness to continue Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. Despite pressure from the US, the Russian leader has stuck to his maximalist demands on Kyiv for ending his invasion, which is now in its fourth year. 

The US has previously approved the deployment of Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, in border regions with Russia. The UK meanwhile approved Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles on deeper targets. Germany had long refused to deliver the long-range Taurus cruise missile, though Mr Merz has expressed approval of its use. 

Mr Merz, who took office earlier in May after a campaign in which he appeared more hawkish on Moscow than his predecessor Olaf Scholz, said his government will do “everything in our power” to maintain military support for Kyiv. Last week, he publicly advocated spending up to 5 per cent of economic output on defence for the first time. 

Mr Zelensky is scheduled to visit Berlin on May 28, according to a person familiar with the plans. Mr Merz and Mr Zelensky are expected to discuss further military support from Germany for Ukraine’s war effort and broader efforts to secure a ceasefire, the person said, asking not to be named discussing private conversations. 

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to reporters during a visit to Vietnam, said a deadline on the Kremlin would serve to show that Mr Putin “is lying” and urged Mr Trump to back up his comments with additional measures against Russia. 

“In recent hours, we have once again seen Donald Trump express his anger,” Mr Macron said. “I simply hope now that this will translate into action.” 

Russia

launched a record number of drones

as well as nine cruise missiles at regions across Ukraine overnight, Mr Zelensky said on social media platform X on May 26. The Ukrainian leader said the attack left people injured and civilian infrastructure damaged.

That was the culmination of three consecutive nights of strikes. Ukrainian authorities said on May 25

at least 12 people were killed

the previous night, prompting Mr Zelensky to renew his call for more sanctions. The attacks coincided with a third day of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. 

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas described the latest strikes as “totally appalling” in her comments to reporters on May 26. “It’s up to us to put the pressure on Russia,” she said.

Last week, Kyiv targeted central Russia with drones nearly continuously for several days, a departure from earlier attacks that typically occurred overnight. Mr Peskov said on May 26 that the latest Russian attacks were “retaliatory strikes” for Ukraine targeting civilian infrastructure. 

Russia said it repelled 96 drones overnight on May 25, with some targeting Moscow and causing flight disruptions at major airports in the region around the Russian capital.

Mr Trump also lashed out at Mr Zelensky on the same social media platform in which he criticised Mr Putin.

“President Zelensky is doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does,” Mr Trump said in the Truth Social post. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.” BLOOMBERG