Germany to Help Ukraine Produce Long-Range Missiles
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BBC News, in London and Berlin
BERLIN – Germany has pledged to assist Ukraine in the production of long-range missiles, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a move aimed at bolstering Kyiv’s defense capabilities against Russian aggression.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Chancellor Merz stated, “We want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details,” in response to inquiries about the potential supply of taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Chancellor Merz, who assumed office earlier this month with a commitment to strengthen German support for Ukraine, had previously indicated that there where “no longer” any range restrictions on weapons provided by Western allies to Kyiv.
The Taurus missile, possessing a range of 500km (310 miles), has the capability to strike deeper into Russian territory compared to other long-range missile systems.
While Chancellor Merz refrained from explicitly mentioning the Taurus missile during the press conference,he announced that a “memorandum of understanding” concerning long-range missiles would be signed by the German and Ukrainian defense ministers later in the day.
Kremlin‘s Response and Germany’s Stance
The Kremlin has cautioned that any decision to lift range restrictions on missiles used by Ukraine would represent a “quite risky change in policy” that could undermine efforts to achieve a political resolution.
However, Chancellor Merz has since clarified that the decision to remove range restrictions was made by Western allies several months ago.
The new chancellor is adopting a more assertive approach to supporting Ukraine compared to his predecessor, Olaf scholz.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the specifics of Chancellor Merz’s missile co-operation plan, his willingness to make important announcements that could possibly provoke the Kremlin contrasts sharply with the cautious approach of the previous government.
Commitment to Continued Support
During the press conference with President Zelensky, Chancellor Merz pledged Germany’s continued support for Ukraine for provided that necessary, warning Moscow that its refusal to engage in further peace talks would have “real consequences.”
President Zelensky has proposed talks involving three leaders – “Trump-Putin-me” – to reach a settlement on the war, while also expressing openness to alternative formats.
Kremlin spokesman dmitry Peskov acknowledged the proposal but emphasized that such a meeting could only occur after “concrete agreements” had been reached between “the two delegations.”
Getty ImagesDiplomatic Efforts and Stalled Peace Talks
Despite initial direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul earlier this month, which resulted in a prisoner exchange, progress towards a broader resolution remains limited.
Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed Moscow’s readiness to hold a second round of peace talks with Kyiv, potentially on 2 June in Istanbul, where Russia would present a “memorandum” outlining its peace terms, according to state news agency Tass.
Lavrov emphasized the importance of support from those “sincerely interested” in the success of the peace process and mentioned briefing US counterpart Marco Rubio on the proposal.
Lavrov has previously stated that Moscow seeks guarantees of Ukraine’s “neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status.”
Ukraine has indicated its willingness to participate in further meetings but stressed that “the next meeting must yield results.”
Ukraine’s defense minister, Rustem Umerov, stated that the country has already submitted its peace terms to Russia and demanded that Moscow reciprocate.
US President Donald Trump has expressed growing impatience with Russia’s lack of progress in advancing further talks.
He accused Vladimir Putin of “playing with fire” following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed 13 Ukrainians, including children. However, Russian officials suggested that President Trump was not adequately informed about the context of the conflict.
President Zelensky has urged Washington to impose sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors, stating that he discussed the issue with President Trump, who “confirmed that if Russia does not stop, sanctions will be imposed.”
Escalating Military Activity
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Ukraine’s military has reported a significant increase in Russian attacks, especially in the northeast.
President Zelensky reported that Moscow was “amassing” over 50,000 troops along the Sumy front, where Russian forces have seized several villages across the Ukrainian border to create “security buffer zones,” as described by president Putin.
Sumy governor Oleh Hryhorov confirmed that Russian forces had captured four villages and that fighting was ongoing near other settlements in the area.
The conflict, now in its fourth year, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction in eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow controls approximately one-fifth of the country’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
President Zelensky has accused Moscow of delaying the peace process and failing to deliver a promised memorandum of peace terms following talks in Istanbul. Peskov maintained that the document was in its “final stages.”
