War in Ukraine: “Pretty dangerous”-Kremlin reacts to Merz-Lägerung

According to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), the weapons supplied by Germany to Ukraine no longer apply to the range and thus the use against Russian territory. “There are no longer any reach restrictions on weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British nor of the French, nor of us, nor of the Americans,” said Merz at the WDR European European. That would mean that Ukraine could now also “defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example. It couldn’t do that until some time”.

Predict Scholz was towards the end of the range limitation

With this statement, Merz stands out from the course of his predecessor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Last year he had allowed German weapons to be used such as the multiple rocket launcher Mars II against positions on the Russian territory for the region around the competitive city of Charkiw. However, he had subsequently spoken out against a removal of the operating restrictions.

Klingbeil: “There is no new appointment”

However, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) contradicted the impression that there was a change of course. “As far as the range is concerned, I want to say that there is no new appointment that goes beyond what the previous government has done,” he said at a press conference in Berlin.

Kremlin spokesman: “Pretty dangerous decisions”

The Kremlin also reacted to the Merz area. These are “rather dangerous decisions when they existed,” said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow.

German weapons are no longer than 85 kilometers

The rocket launcher Mars II with a range of around 85 kilometers and the armored shaft 2000 with a range of around 35 kilometers are the only German weapons with which the Ukrainian army can hit destinations behind the front line.

Berlin has not yet delivered the Taurus marching aircraft with a range of 500 kilometers, with which Moscow could be reached. The United States, France and Great Britain, on the other hand, have provided the Ukrainian armed forces with a range of sometimes more than 250 kilometers, which are said to have been used against Russian territory, according to media reports.

Merz: Putin sees the offer of conversation as a weakness

Merz also accused Russia of ruthlessly attacking civilians and bombing cities. Ukraine doesn’t do that, it should stay that way. “But a country that can only oppose an attacker in its own territory does not defend itself sufficiently.”

The left-wing politician Sören Pellmann was concerned about Merz ‘statements: “The fact that there are no longer any reach restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine will unfortunately not change the course of the war, but can lead to further escalation.” BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht also criticized that this could “ultimately bring war to Germany”.