German Chancellor Calls Decision On Weapons For Ukraine Made A Few Months Ago

JAKARTA - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the decision to lift arms range restrictions supplied to Ukraine had been made months ago.

"As far as I know and as I said yesterday, countries imposing range restrictions have lifted them some time ago," Chancellor Merz said in a joint press statement with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo broadcast on the Phoenix TV channel.

"So yesterday in Berlin I only explained what had been going on for several months, namely, Ukraine has the right to use weapons it receives outside its own territory against military targets on Russian soil," he explained.

"In my opinion, this is necessary," he added, asserting "only those capable of attacking military bases in (enemy) territory can defend themselves."

As previously reported, the German Chancellor said his country had lifted all restrictions on the reach of the Ukrainian attack on Russian territory with German weapons. According to him, similar decisions have been made by Britain and France.

"There are no longer arms range restrictions supplied to Ukraine not from the UK, not from France, not from us. And neither from America (Britches)," he said in a discussion at a forum hosted by broadcaster WDR.

"That means now Ukraine can defend itself by, say, attacking military targets in Russia," Chancellor Merz stressed.

"Previously we couldn't do it, except in rare circumstances. Now we can," he said.

According to Chancellor Merz, Germany insists that Kyiv is only targeting military facilities.

Separately, Chancellor Merz's comments were met with confusion within his coalition. German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil (Socio-Democratic Party) told reporters no new agreement was made regarding the issue of limiting German arms range sent to Ukraine to attack Russian territory.

In contrast, Ralf Stegner, a lawmaker from the SPD faction, publicly criticized Merz, stating that the statement "did not help."