
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin on Wednesday, said his country would help Kiev produce long-range weapons that could hit targets on Russian territory.
He said the defense ministers of both countries would sign a memorandum of understanding on the production of long-range weapons systems, but did not provide technical details or which manufacturers would be involved.
"There will be no limitations in terms of range [of action], allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its territory," he said during a joint press conference with Zelensky.
Zelensky's visit to Berlin comes days after Russia carried out some of its most severe missile and drone attacks since its invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump expressed anger with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the attacks.
The Ukrainian president accused Russia of dragging out peace talks and said Moscow does not want to stop the invasion it began three years ago, adding that "they are constantly looking for reasons not to stop the war."
Merz said that "the massive airstrikes, especially in Kiev over the weekend, are not the language of peace, but the language of war of aggression."
He warned that "the Russian side's refusal to hold talks, its refusal to agree to a ceasefire, now really has consequences and the consequences are becoming apparent every day."
Merz, who took office as chancellor last month, pledged to continue strong support for Ukraine, but did not provide details on what weapons Germany is sending there.
As for the joint production of long-range weapons, "it could be done in Ukraine and Germany."
"We will not provide further details on this subject until further notice," he said.
He said military-industrial cooperation between the two countries "has great potential."
According to him, the production of these weapons means that Ukraine can defend itself, "for example, by attacking military positions in Russia... With a few exceptions, it has not been able to do this until now. But now it can."/ REL