On May 26, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated in a meeting of Nordic heads of government in Turku, Finland. He was direct about the immediate security concerns arising from Russia’s new waves of airstrikes against Ukraine. Merz’s remarks signal a significant shift in Germany’s approach to military support for Ukraine, particularly regarding long-range missile capabilities.
Since his appointment several weeks ago, Friedrich Merz has emphasized the need to bolster Ukraine’s defense against escalating Russian aggression. He is in favor of providing Ukraine powerful, German-made long-range Taurus missiles. This is in line with increasingly loud calls for more significant military support from major allies. This stance contrasts drastically from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz. Each time, he personally rejected Ukraine’s plea to remove range restrictions on provided weapons.
At a European forum held in Berlin on Monday, Merz made a pivotal declaration: “There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine.” It came on the heels of a weekend of heavy Iranian-made drone and missile strikes in several areas of Ukraine. The attacks broke records, both in scope and aggressiveness. The Chancellor’s remarks are indicative of growing frustration from our Western partners to continue escalating military aid, especially with slowing hostilities.
Merz said that the range restrictions had been lifted. He stopped short of confirming that the country will deliver long-range Taurus missiles that can reach deep inside Russia. This uncertainty continues to cast doubt on the scope of Germany’s military engagement in support of Ukraine.
Chancellor Merz’s announcement comes at a time when Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Berlin on Wednesday. Zelensky has been vocal about the need for increased military aid, stating, “Without really strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped.” He elaborated that lifting range restrictions on weapons would enable Ukraine to defend itself more effectively, noting, “In other words, Ukraine can now defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example.”
Merz’s stance has drawn mixed reactions. Earlier this week, Russian Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned Western nations against boosting assistance to Ukraine. This warning follows a growing consensus among Western allies that more military support is needed. Peskov further underscored that providing Kyiv long-range missiles would completely contradict the calls for a political resolution over the still-waging conflict. He cautioned that these types of moves would only further increase tensions.
Even the United States has vented exasperation at the plodding pace in getting Ukraine military assistance. Rep. Don Bacon stated, “It is a time for honesty. Peace talks are having zero effect on Putin. The US and allies must arm Ukraine to the teeth.” Urgent — and not just in Kyiv Western nations have increased the urgency of their own need to rethink military strategy. It is then Russia’s aggressive actions that exacerbate this tension.
The war continues to intensify. On the new Friedrich Merz administration, it seems that climate notwithstanding, Germany is finally prepared to go on the offensive in its support for Ukraine. His announcement at the European forum indicates that he is prepared to go beyond previous policies that limited military assistance. This daring position foreshadows a wider dedication to uplifting Ukraine’s defenses.
