Kremlin slams lifting of range restrictions on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine

05/27/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

The Kremlin denounced the West’s removal of range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, calling it a “dangerous” obstacle to peace efforts and contradictory to diplomatic resolutions.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Ukraine can now use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory, marking a significant shift in Western support and directly challenging Moscow’s warnings.
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov warned of heightened risks, citing Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine that allows for strategic responses to aggression backed by nuclear powers. The use of nuclear weapons remains a last resort.
The policy change complicates fragile peace talks, despite recent prisoner exchanges and ceasefire proposals. Russia claims to be finalizing a peace memorandum, but Western leaders remain skeptical.
While Merz framed the move as necessary for Ukraine’s defense, it faces opposition in Germany, particularly regarding Taurus missiles. The escalation risks crossing Moscow’s red lines, potentially pushing the conflict into uncharted territory.

The Kremlin has denounced the West’s removal of restrictions on weapons being supplied to Ukraine, claiming that such a decision goes against efforts to secure a lasting peace.

On Monday, May 26, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov called it a “dangerous” obstacle to diplomacy, as both Ukraine and Russia prepare ceasefire proposals amid heightened nuclear rhetoric. The move by Kyiv’s western backers, he added, contradicts Moscow’s efforts toward a political resolution.

“Quite dangerous decisions,” Peskov stressed. “If such decisions have indeed been made, they are entirely at odds with our aspirations for a peaceful settlement.”

The press secretary’s remarks followed an announcement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that range limits on all weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine are now lifted. The announcement, which allows Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, directly challenges Moscow’s warnings against further Western involvement. It also complicates fragile peace negotiations, which were restarted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Merz’s declaration at the EuropaForum, also held on Monday, marked a turning point in Western policy. “There are no longer any range restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine – neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, nor by the Americans,” he said. Previously, Kyiv was barred from using these weapons beyond occupied Ukrainian territories.

The chancellor echoed these remarks in a post on X. He wrote: “We will do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine. This also means no more range restrictions on the weapons we supply. Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia.”

Western arms and Russian warnings: The high-stakes gamble

Peskov emphasized the risks of escalation, particularly after Russian President Vladimir Putin revised Russia’s nuclear doctrine to include scenarios where aggression by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power could trigger a strategic response. While Moscow maintains that nuclear weapons remain a last resort, the policy shift underscores the volatile stakes as Ukraine intensifies long-range attacks using Western arms. (Related: Putin warns of potential nuclear escalation amid Ukraine conflict, accuses West of provocation.)

The change follows months of debate over supplying advanced systems like Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles. Moscow has warned that using these weapons, which boast a 500-kilometer range, would make Berlin a direct combatant.

Though Merz avoided naming specific weapons, his statement signals broader approval for strikes on Russian military positions. Ukraine has already employed a strategy since November 2024, making use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS and British Storm Shadows.

The policy shift arrives as diplomatic efforts stall despite a rare prisoner exchange and ceasefire discussions earlier this month. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Friday, May 23, that Moscow is finalizing a peace memorandum. Western leaders remain skeptical, however.

Merz argued that restricting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities only emboldens Russia, asserting that a country unable to retaliate within the aggressor’s territory cannot adequately defend itself. Yet the decision faces domestic resistance in Germany, where polls show majority opposition to sending Taurus missiles.

While the West’s latest move signals unwavering support for Kyiv, it risks crossing Moscow’s red lines. With peace talks fragile and nuclear posturing intensifying, the world watches whether this escalation will force concessions or push the conflict into uncharted territory.

Watch this video about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz already pushing the country toward escalation.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.