German Foreign Ministry: Lifting strike limits is a response to Moscow’s terror

His comments came in reaction to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s May 26 statement confirming that Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have lifted restrictions on how far Ukraine may strike with Western-provided weapons.

The Kremlin, in turn, called the move “dangerous” and claimed it “hinders a political resolution.” Wadephul pushed back, reminding reporters that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has repeatedly refused offers to negotiate.

“We made it very clear that such behavior would not go unanswered,” Germany’s top diplomat said.

Addressing the question of supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, Wadephul confirmed that the government does not disclose decisions about specific weapons systems, in order not to give Putin any strategic insight.

On May 26, Chancellor Merz said during a broadcast on German public television from the 27th WDR Europaforum that Germany, Britain, France and the U.S. no longer place distance limitations on Ukrainian strikes.

“There are no longer restrictions on long-distance strikes using weapons that have been supplied to Ukraine — not from Britain, not from France, not from us. Not from the U.S., either. This means Ukraine can defend itself, for example, by striking military positions on Russian territory. Until now, it couldn’t do that,” Merz said.

He added that the decision “will fundamentally change the way Ukraine conducts this war.”