**Germany’s New Chancellor Pledges Support to Ukraine, Promises Long-Range Weapons**
In a significant move, Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has assured Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, that his country will help Kyiv produce long-range weapons to defend itself against Russian attacks. This commitment marks a shift in Berlin’s approach to supporting Ukraine and comes as tensions between Moscow and Kyiv continue to escalate.
Merz made the pledge during a press conference with Zelensky, saying that Germany wants to talk about production and has “no longer” any range restrictions on weapons supplied by Western allies. The development has been met with caution from Russia, which views the move as a significant escalation of tensions.
**Germany’s Defense Ministry Weighs In**
Germany’s defense ministry has confirmed that Berlin will finance the production of long-range weapons systems in Ukraine. According to a statement, these systems could be deployed in the Ukrainian armed forces within weeks. This commitment demonstrates Merz’s willingness to take a more assertive stance on support for Ukraine than his predecessor, Olaf Scholz.
**Russia Warns Against Escalation**
The Kremlin has warned that any decision to end range restrictions on missiles would be a “quite dangerous change in policy” that could harm efforts to reach a political deal. However, Merz has emphasized that the decision to lift range restrictions was taken by Western allies months ago, suggesting that Berlin is not going against international consensus.
**Ukraine Seeks More Support**
Zelensky has called for talks aimed at reaching a settlement on the war, involving three leaders – “Trump-Putin-me”. The Ukrainian president has also urged Washington to impose sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors. This move comes as Ukraine continues to face intense Russian attacks, with over 900 drones launched in just three days.
**Peace Talks Stalled**
Despite diplomatic efforts, peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have made little progress. Moscow has presented its peace terms but has yet to deliver them to Kyiv. The Kremlin’s insistence on guaranteeing Ukraine’s “neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status” has been met with skepticism by Zelensky.
**Increased Tensions**
The war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with Ukrainian forces reporting one of their largest drone barrages on Russian targets to date overnight. On the ground, Ukraine’s defences have come under increased Russian attack in the northeast, with Moscow amassing over 50,000 troops along the Sumy front.
As tensions continue to escalate, the international community is watching closely for any signs of progress towards a peaceful resolution. The developments suggest that Germany’s new chancellor is committed to taking a more assertive stance on support for Ukraine, but it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to this shift in policy.
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