Kremlin Criticizes Europe's Move to Lift Missile Range Restrictions for Kyiv
Kremlin warns that Europe's removal of missile range limits for Ukraine is a "dangerous" escalation.
The Kremlin sharply criticized the recent decision by several European nations to eliminate missile range restrictions on weapons provided to Ukraine, characterizing the move as “dangerous” and a direct threat to ongoing diplomatic efforts. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that such measures “absolutely run counter to our aspirations to reach a political settlement and the efforts currently being made within the framework of the settlement.”
The policy shift was made public by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who revealed that Germany and its allies—specifically Britain, France, and the United States—have removed prior limitations on the use of long-range weaponry supplied to Kyiv. “There are no longer range restrictions for such weapons, neither from Britain, France, nor from us. Not from the United States either,” Chancellor Merz announced during the WDR Europaforum held in Berlin. He emphasized that this would enable Ukraine to defend itself more effectively by targeting military installations inside Russian territory.
The decision comes at a particularly sensitive moment amid stalled diplomatic efforts. On May 16, Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks since escalation of the conflict. However, those negotiations failed to produce a ceasefire, and no further dialogue has been scheduled. President Vladimir Putin recently signaled Russia’s willingness to continue discussions, stating that Moscow would “propose and is ready to work with” Kyiv on a memorandum aimed at outlining a possible future peace treaty.
Putin reiterated the necessity for both parties to find “compromises acceptable to both sides,” calling for renewed diplomatic engagement. Despite these overtures, the removal of restrictions on advanced weaponry marks a significant escalation in the support offered to Ukraine by its Western allies, raising concerns in Moscow about the potential for further intensification of the conflict.
As military and political leaders grapple with the consequences of this development, the path to a negotiated settlement appears increasingly complex. The evolving situation highlights the delicate balance between providing Ukraine with the means to defend itself and the risks of provoking heightened tensions between Russia and the Western bloc.
