Trump weighs allowing Ukraine to target Russia with US arms
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking Monday during a forum organized by broadcaster WDR, said Western governments—including Germany, the UK, France, and the US—had already lifted all range-related restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine.
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In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, Ukrainian servicemen attend a military training in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2025 (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing the removal of remaining restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-supplied weaponry to conduct strikes inside Russian territory, a move that could align Washington with recent decisions by key European allies.
According to the Kyiv Post, US officials say the issue is currently under review, with a final decision expected following a meeting in Washington, DC, between US Secretary Marco Rubio and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul later this week.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking Monday during a forum organized by broadcaster WDR, said Western governments, including Germany, the UK, France, and the US, had already lifted all range-related restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine. "There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the UK, France, nor us. There are no restrictions by the US either," Merz said, adding that "the decision had been taken several months ago."
Despite this assertion, American sources clarified that US policy has not yet fully aligned with that of its European counterparts. An official cited by the Kyiv Post stated that the lifting of remaining US restrictions is still under consideration and will be a key point of discussion at this week's bilateral talks.
Merz has previously raised the possibility of supplying Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. In an April interview with ARD, he stated that he did not exclude the option, though he stressed that "this should be agreed upon by all European partners." German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, however, expressed skepticism, citing "many arguments" against the delivery of such advanced systems.
Escalation Talks
Russia has sharply condemned the Western moves. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the lifting of restrictions "rather dangerous decisions" and warned they run counter to Moscow's objectives for conflict resolution. Echoing those concerns, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned in April that any use of Taurus missiles against Russian targets would be seen as direct German involvement in the war.
In parallel to escalating tensions, Russia has initiated a new diplomatic push to end the conflict. On Tuesday, Zakharova confirmed that Moscow is drafting a peace memorandum outlining the terms for a possible ceasefire and longer-term settlement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reportedly been providing daily updates on its progress. The memorandum is expected to include implementation timelines and conditions for engagement with Ukraine.
This effort follows the largest prisoner exchange of the war, carried out earlier this month, during which Russia and Ukraine each released 1,000 detainees. Despite the swap, negotiations remain stalled, with Moscow demanding troop withdrawals from annexed regions and Kiev insisting on a ceasefire and continued military support from its allies.
Read more: Plane carrying 307 freed Russian soldiers lands in Moscow
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity is intensifying. Turkey, which recently facilitated the prisoner exchange, has offered to host future talks. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to visit Kiev later this week after meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as regional powers including the UAE, Qatar, and Oman express interest in mediating.
Still, the prospect of peace remains uncertain as battlefield conditions deteriorate and Ukraine prepares for the possibility of new offensives using longer-range capabilities. Should President Trump decide to remove the final US restrictions, it would mark a significant escalation in the West's military backing for Kiev, and further strain relations with Moscow.
