Cnn
–
The Kremlin criticized a “dangerous” decision of the allies of Ukraine to raise the prohibition of Kyiv drawing long -range missiles in Russia after the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that there were no more beach restrictions on the weapons provided by the West.
Speaking after days of Russia bombing the Ukrainian capital and other regions with massive air attacks, the German Chancellor said on Monday that his country and other allies had lifted restrictions on reach.
“There is no longer any restriction of scope on the weapons provided to Ukraine. Neither British, French, nor of us. Neither by the Americans,” said Merz at a event organized by the German public broadcaster WDR.
“In other words, Ukraine can now defend itself, even by attacking military positions in Russia, for example. He could not do so until some time ago. With a few exceptions, that did not do this some time ago either,” said Merz.
On Tuesday, after his quotes were interpreted as an announcement of a new policy, Merz said that “had been the case for months.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Merz’s announcement on Mond on Merz on Merz on Merz was “rather dangerous”, according to the Russian State news agency Cup.
“If such decisions are made, they will absolutely go against our aspirations to achieve political regulations and the efforts made within the framework of the regulations,” he said, said, said.
Russia has previously threatened that all lifting of long -range arms restrictions would mean war on NATO.
Putin warned the West that Moscow would consider any assault supported by nuclear power as a joint attack – and that Russia could use nuclear weapons if it was struck by conventional missiles.
The threat of using nuclear weapons has been a significant climbing in rhetoric by the Kremlin-although it did not act on the threat once kyiv began to use the United Kingdom and the United States made missiles to strike in the territory of Russia.
In the past, the main allies of Ukraine had resisted Ukraine’s requests to use the weapons provided by the West in Russia. This changed at the end of last year, when former American president Joe Biden gave Ukraine green light to use long-range army tactical missile systems provided by the United States, or Atacms, inside Russia.
But this was also a controversial decision that took months of discussion to be achieved. The United States even refused to provide ATACM to Ukraine for the first two years of war, providing missiles until the first time in April 2024. Some US officials were worried about the climbing of war, now in its fourth year, while others were worried about weapons of weapons falling from the Pentagon.
Merz was appointed Chancellor several weeks ago – and his statement that Berlin would allow Ukraine to use weapons with long German -speaking reach to strike in Russia strongly contrasts with his predecessor Olaf Scholz, who had repeatedly rejected Ukraine calls to raise the restrictions.
However, Merz did not say if Germany would provide Ukraine its powerful Taurus Missiles long – something he had supported when Scholz was still in power, Reuters reported.
Merz’s comments came to the wake of record drones and missile attacks against Ukraine this weekend. Russian President Vladimir Putin faces international pressures to accept a cease-fire contract, including US President Donald Trump, who is increasingly frustrated by the slow progression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Berlin on Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing several sources.
Russia’s attacks during the weekend have killed more than two dozen people, including children, while Ukraine has urged Western allies to continue pressure on Moscow to end the war.
“Without a very strong pressure on Russian management, this brutality cannot be stopped,” Zelensky said on Sunday.
Trump Monday expressed the increase Frustration with PutinSaying that the Russian chief had “gone absolutely crazy” – while also criticizing Zelensky’s statements as causing “problems”.
The pressure is also built from the republican base of Trump, with a number of members of the Congress – of which meaning. Chuck Grassley and Lindsey Graham, and representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Don Bacon – urging the president to impose strict sanctions on Russia.
“It’s the moment of honesty. Peace discussions have no effect on Putin ”, bacon Written on X. “The United States and Allies must arm Ukraine to the teeth.”
This story has been updated.
