Germany offers to support Ukraine to develop its own long-range missiles to strike Russia
28 May 2025, 17:39
Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz has offered to help Ukraine develop its missile production to aid the country's war with Russia.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The missile systems would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their range and target options as Ukraine's government fight off Russia's invasion.
Some of the advanced weapon systems that Ukraine's western partners have provided to Ukraine during the more than three-year war were limited by range and target restrictions.
The restrictions have stirred intense debate among political circles as concerns grow that if the weapons hit Russia, the Kremlin may strike back at the country that supplied them, which could potentially bring NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II.
Speaking in Berlin, Mr Merz said that under an intensified cooperation agreement Germany “will strive to equip the Ukrainian army with all the capabilities that truly enable it to successfully defend the country" - which includes upgraded domestic missile production.
Read more: Drone war ‘could come to London next’, warns expert after record Russian aerial assault
At a joint news conference, Mr Merz said “Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself including against military targets outside its own territory” with its own missiles.
In recent months, the US has tried to persuade Russia to engage in peace talks with Ukraine.
Analysts believe Russia may be preparing for a huge summer offensive.
Merz refused to state whether Germany will provide its advanced Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine - something Ukraine has requested.
When questioned about Germany's offer to fund long-range missile production in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the move was an obstacle to finalising a peace agreement.
Merz and Zelenskyy slammed the Kremlin's apparent rejection of an unconditional ceasefire provided by the US and its delay in responding to proposals for a settlement.
Last Monday, Germany's chancellor said that Germany and other major allies were no longer dictating range limits on weapons they send to Ukraine.
However, Mr Merz said that their use was limited to Russian military targets.
Last year, former US president Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use missiles supplied by the US for limited strikes on Russia.
The decision enabled Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against Russia.
Donald Trump's latest 'bizarre' decision dissected
In Berlin, Zelenskyy urged deeper defence cooperation across Europe and with the US, outlining the need for long-range capabilities and sustained military funding to bolster Ukraine's resilience.
He added: “We need sufficient long-range capabilities. That’s why we must be certain of the financing of our army and the stability of Ukraine.
He told the news conference: “We simply want [the missiles] to be produced in the quantity we need."
The Ukrainian president said on Tuesday that Ukraine is ready to hold peace talks at the highest level - including a trilateral meeting with himself, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin.
“We are ready to meet at the level of leaders. Both the American side knows this, and the Russian side knows this,” Zelenskyy said.
