Germany’s Bold Move Ignites Firestorm in Ukraine War

Berlin, May 27, 2025: Germany has ripped up the rulebook, announcing that Ukraine can now use German-supplied weapons to strike military targets deep inside Russia. Chancellor Friedrich Merz dropped the bombshell at a WDR Europaforum, declaring, “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine—neither by the British, nor the French, nor us, nor the Americans.” This seismic shift, echoed by allies like the U.S., U.K., and France, marks a new chapter in the Russia-Ukraine war, now grinding into its third year.

The decision follows Russia’s relentless barrage of Ukraine, with a record 355 drones and nine cruise missiles launched on May 25, 2025, killing six and injuring 24 across Ukrainian cities. Merz’s move, confirmed by sources like The Guardian and Bloomberg, hands Kyiv unprecedented power to hit Russian military infrastructure—airfields, ammo depots, command centers—hundreds of miles beyond Ukraine’s borders.

But the Kremlin isn’t staying silent. Moscow slammed the move as “dangerous,” with spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning it undermines efforts for a political settlement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hinted the West’s decision was long-planned and shrouded in secrecy. As tensions spike, the world watches a conflict teetering on the edge.

A Policy U-Turn That Shakes the Globe

From Caution to Confrontation

Germany’s shift is a stark departure from the hesitancy of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles—500-kilometer-range weapons capable of precision strikes deep in Russia—fearing escalation with a nuclear-armed Moscow. Merz, in office just weeks, signaled a bolder stance before taking power, promising to lift Scholz’s ban. While he stopped short of confirming Taurus deliveries, his May 26 announcement aligns Germany with allies who’ve already loosened restrictions.

The U.S. paved the way in November 2024, when President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, with strikes reported in Bryansk and western Russia. The U.K. followed, with Storm Shadow missiles hitting Russian targets the same month. France and now Germany have joined the fray, removing range limits on their supplied weapons. Merz’s words at the WDR forum were clear: “Ukraine can now defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia.”

Why Now?

The timing isn’t random. Russia’s recent aerial onslaught—900 drones and missiles across Ukraine in just three days, per President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—pushed Western allies to act. Kyiv’s air defenses downed 233 drones and all nine missiles on May 25, but the human toll was grim: two civilians dead, dozens injured. Witnesses in Kyiv described “nights of terror” as drones buzzed overhead, shaking homes. Merz justified the shift, saying, “Russia targets civilians, while Ukraine aims for military goals.”

What It Means Now

A Game-Changer for Ukraine

This decision hands Ukraine a tactical edge. Long-range weapons like the Taurus, if supplied, could disrupt Russian logistics hubs, airfields, and command centers up to 300 miles inside Russia. Zelenskyy has long pushed for this capability, arguing it’s critical to hit Russian staging grounds used to pound Ukrainian cities. Strikes in Russia’s Bryansk region and Donetsk Oblast show Kyiv’s already testing its new freedom.

But limits remain. Merz noted unspecified “restrictions” on strike locations, likely to avoid civilian targets and curb escalation. Germany’s also playing its cards close, with Merz vowing to keep future arms deliveries secret to keep Moscow guessing.

Global Ripples

The Kremlin’s response was swift and sharp. Peskov called the move a “dangerous” step, hinting at retaliation. President Vladimir Putin previously warned that NATO-backed strikes inside Russia could mean “war” with the alliance. Lavrov’s accusation of Western secrecy adds fuel, suggesting Moscow feels blindsided.

Allies are split. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, a former German defense minister, praised Merz’s resolve, while Ralf Stegner of the Social Democratic Party called it “unhelpful,” urging diplomacy. Across Europe, leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron push for action, with Macron claiming Trump sees through Putin’s “lies” about Ukraine. Yet, with Trump’s stance unclear—he’s “considering” lifting all Biden-era restrictions—Western unity hangs in the balance.

Risk of Escalation

The specter of nuclear rhetoric looms. Putin has threatened nuclear response to conventional strikes backed by nuclear powers. While Russia hasn’t acted on these threats, the lifting of restrictions by four major NATO allies—Germany, U.S., U.K., and France—raises the stakes. Ukraine’s use of Western weapons could provoke Moscow into broader attacks, potentially targeting NATO soil.

The Human Cost and Battlefield Reality

Ukraine Under Siege

Russia’s record-breaking drone attack on May 25, 2025, underscored the war’s brutality. Kyiv’s skies lit up as 355 Shahed drones and ballistic missiles rained down, the largest single assault since the invasion began in 2022. Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered by Western systems, neutralized most, but the psychological toll is heavy. “You can’t sleep when the drones hum all night,” a Kyiv resident told Euronews.

In Korostyshiv, a Russian strike on May 25 destroyed homes, leaving families homeless. Zelenskyy reported 900 Russian strikes over three days, with civilian infrastructure—hospitals, kindergartens, homes—bearing the brunt. Ukraine’s gas production has plummeted, worsening energy shortages as winter looms.

Russia’s Vulnerabilities

Ukraine’s new long-range capabilities could exploit Russia’s exposed logistics. Open-source reports show Russian units often leave equipment unsheltered, believing Western restrictions would prevent cross-border strikes. Kyiv’s drone strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities have already hit Moscow’s revenue stream, a weak point as sanctions bite. If Taurus missiles arrive, Ukraine could target deeper, more strategic assets.

Global Reactions and X Buzz

Verified X accounts lit up after Merz’s announcement. @BBCBreaking posted: “Germany joins US, UK, France in lifting Ukraine weapon restrictions—Kyiv can now strike Russia.” @NOELreports echoed: “The West gets it—Ukraine needs to hit back hard.” Sentiment on X shows cautious support but fear of escalation, with users like @Tendar noting, “The dominos are falling, but at what cost?”

Moscow’s propaganda outlets, like @RT_com, framed the decision as a NATO provocation, warning of “direct conflict.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian voices on X celebrated, with @Maks_NAFO_FELLA calling it “a turning point for Kyiv’s defense.” These posts, while not conclusive, reflect the global divide—hope for Ukraine, dread of a wider war.

What’s Next?

Merz’s decision doesn’t guarantee Taurus missile deliveries, but it opens the door. Germany, the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine after the U.S., faces pressure to supply these game-changing weapons. Zelenskyy’s push for unrestricted long-range strikes now has Western backing, but the battlefield impact depends on delivery speed and Russia’s response.

Diplomacy hangs by a thread. Merz is pushing for a ceasefire while arming Ukraine, a tightrope act. Trump’s talks with Putin and Zelenskyy, including a limited energy truce in March 2025, haven’t stopped the fighting. With Russia’s economy strained and Ukraine’s defenses stretched, both sides are digging in.

The world waits, breathless, as this conflict’s next move could redraw global lines. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24.