Latest news with #longRangeWeapons
NHK
3 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Germany, Ukraine to jointly produce long-range weapons
Germany and Ukraine have agreed to work on joint production of long-range weapons. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks in Berlin on Wednesday. They discussed ways to deal with Russia, which is stepping up attacks on Ukraine while rejecting a ceasefire requested by the West. At a joint news conference after the meeting, Merz said Russia is playing for time, and that massive airstrikes on Kyiv "do not speak the language of peace." Zelenskyy said every possible pressure must be put on Russia. They disclosed that they agreed to seek joint production of long-range weapons to enhance Ukraine's defense. Merz said on Monday that Germany will now allow Ukraine to conduct long-range attacks into Russian territory using weapons supplied by his country. A focal point in the latest meeting was whether Germany would agree to supply its Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500 kilometers. But Merz did not mention that. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized the agreement between Berlin and Kyiv. He said in an interview with state-run TV on Wednesday that the move hinders peace efforts. He also said that despite such provocative actions and obstacles, Russia expects the peace process to continue and Moscow and Kyiv to hold a second round of negotiations and exchange memorandums. On May 16, the two sides held direct talks in Turkey.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to Germany's long-range missile pledge to Ukraine
The latest statements and 'provocative actions' by some EU member states are obstructing the ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. His comments came in response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's remarks in recent days regarding Berlin's potential shift on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range weapons. Merz announced at a joint press conference with Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky in Berlin on Wednesday that Germany would help the country produce long-range missiles. 'All these actions, of course, hinder peaceful efforts,' Peskov told journalist Pavel Zarubin, adding that 'Germany is competing with France' for supremacy in further provoking the conflict. The Kremlin spokesman expressed hope that despite 'all the obstacles,' it would still be possible to continue the process toward a diplomatic settlement, including holding the second round of negotiations. Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since 2022. The sides agreed to present a memorandum with detailed proposals on how to end the conflict, carry out a record 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, which was completed on Sunday, and continue negotiations. Merz declined on Wednesday to discuss any further details while announcing the 'new form of military-industrial cooperation,' but said, 'We want to enable joint production.' He added that a 'memorandum of understanding' on long-range missiles would be signed by the German and Ukrainian defense ministers later in the day. Merz said earlier this week that missiles from the US, UK, France, and Germany, could now be used without range limits against Russian military targets. His remarks sparked confusion over whether he was announcing a new policy and drew concern from within his own coalition. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said no new decisions have been made on the range of Ukrainian strikes using German weapons, beyond those set by the previous government. Ralf Stegner, a member of Merz's coalition partner, the SPD, called the comments 'unhelpful' and called for a stronger focus on diplomacy. Merz later clarified that the decision to lift restrictions on Western arms used by Ukraine had been made months ago, further confusing the public and reigniting debate over the possible delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev. With a range of up to 500 kilometers, the missiles can be used to strike deep inside Russian territory, including the Russian capital. Moscow has warned that supplying these weapons would make Germany a direct party to the conflict. Russia has consistently condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only serve to prolong the conflict and hinder efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Germany to help Ukraine produce long-range weapons
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to help Ukraine produce its own long-range weapons that it can use to attack targets outside the territory it claims. Moscow has criticized the move, saying it further escalates the conflict and undermines peace efforts. Earlier this week, Merz stated that there are 'no longer any range restrictions' on weapons supplied to Ukraine by the UK, France, Germany, and the US, claiming that the limits were lifted 'several months ago.' On Wednesday, the chancellor said he also informed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky that Berlin would support Ukraine in developing its own missile capabilities. 'Our defense ministers will sign a memorandum of understanding today regarding the procurement of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons systems,' Merz told reporters in Berlin. 'We also want to ensure joint production, but we will not disclose details publicly,' he said, adding that there will be no range restrictions on these weapons and that Kiev will be allowed to attack targets outside its own territory. Merz dodged a question from reporters about whether Berlin would also provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, which are capable of reaching the Russian capital. Bild newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that Germany is unlikely to supply Taurus missiles, given that officials in Berlin view the issue as 'taboo,' fearing it could lead to a major escalation. Moscow has condemned Merz's initiative, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Germany is 'competing with France for primacy in further provoking war.' Following Merz's earlier claim about the lifting of restrictions on the use of Western long-range weapons, Peskov warned that this could lead to a 'serious escalation' of the Ukraine conflict. He added that it 'severely undermines attempts for a peaceful settlement that have been made,' referring to the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years earlier this month. Peskov also pointed out that Kiev lacks the necessary targeting systems to conduct long-range strikes independently and argued that enabling these attacks would make Western countries direct participants in the conflict. 'These statements are further proof that the European Union is not striving for peace and does not want to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy,' Peskov said, according to Russian media.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Russia warns Germany over signal on long-range weapons for Ukraine
Russia rebuked Germany on Monday after Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested Ukraine could now employ longer-range weapons in its defence against Moscow. These were 'quite dangerous decisions, if they have been made,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He was referring to an earlier statement by Merz, who said there were 'no longer any range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, nor by the Americans'. It was unclear whether Merz's comments represent a change, or if he was referring to the use of certain Western missiles against Russian territory since late last year. The United States has given Ukraine ATACMS missiles, which have a range up to 300km, while the United Kingdom and France have supplied Shadow Storm/Scalp cruise missiles. Berlin has been weighing whether to provide Taurus cruise missiles which have a range of 500km.
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin reacts to West lifting limits on long-range weapons for Ukraine
The reported decision by Ukraine's Western backers to lift restrictions on Kiev's use of long-range weapons runs counter to Russia's efforts toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. Peskov made the remarks in response to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Ukraine is no longer subject to range limitations on Western-supplied weaponry. 'If such decisions have indeed been made, they are entirely at odds with our aspirations for a political resolution and with the efforts currently being made toward a settlement,' Peskov stated. 'Quite dangerous decisions, again – if they were indeed made,' he stressed. Merz told the EuropaForum event on Monday that there are no longer any range restrictions on the use of weapons delivered to Ukraine against Russian military targets. 'There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the UK, France, nor us [Germany],' Merz said, as quoted by Euronews. 'There are no restrictions by the US either,' he TO FOLLOW
