Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy and Merz hold talks in Berlin – DW – 05/28/2025
05/28/2025
May 28, 2025 Germany to help Ukraine develop long-range arms
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin will help Kyiv develop new long-range weapons that can hit targets in Russian territory.
"There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory," he said, adding that the weapons could be produced "both in Ukraine and here in Germany."
His remarks made at a joint press conference with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came after Merz earlier this week said in a TV interview that Ukraine's allies were not longer putting range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv.
Merz said on Wednesday that defense ministers from both countries would sign a memorandum of understanding for the production of long-range weapons systems.
However, he declined to provide technical details or name the manufacturers involved.
Merz: 'We will step up our pressure on Russia'
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Merz hailed the project as "the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries that has great potential."
Western allies of Ukraine have previously voiced fears that attacks within Russia using weapons supplied from abroad could draw Moscow's ire toward the manufacturing countries.
Notably, since taking office, Merz has been tight-lipped about supplying Kyiv with German long-range Taurus missiles despite advocating their delivery while in opposition.
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