By TJP
Germany, France, Great Britain, and the United States have authorized Ukraine to use the weapons they supply to launch attacks deep inside Russian territory. This was announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He described this decision as a “decisive qualitative shift in Ukraine’s war.” The Kremlin reacted promptly, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the move “a rather dangerous decision.”
In an interview given to Friedrich Merz on Monday as part of the WDR Europaforum, the Chancellor commented on Ukraine’s permission to target military targets within the Russian Federation.
According to Merz, four countries – Germany, France, Great Britain, and the United States – have given their consent to Kyiv now being able to use Western weapons to attack targets on Russian soil.
War in Ukraine: Permission for Attacks Within Russia
“Ukraine is now allowed to defend itself, which also means attacking military targets within Russia. Until recently, this was not permitted – and with few exceptions, Ukraine has not done so,” Merz explained.
He added that this decision represents a significant qualitative change in Ukraine’s war, as Kyiv is now able to “target military infrastructure in the rear areas.”
Merz also emphasized in the interview that Russia is “ruthlessly bombing civilian targets – including cities, kindergartens, hospitals, and nursing homes.” Ukraine, however, is acting differently, and it is of great importance that this continues.
The reaction from Moscow was not long in coming. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sharply criticized the decision. “This is a rather dangerous development,” he said. If implemented, “it completely contradicts our efforts towards a political solution and the initiatives aimed at it,” Peskov continued.