The battle for air superiority is no longer just about seeing — it’s also about hearing. In 2025, Germany plans to launch combat drones equipped with acoustic sensors that can detect the origin of enemy artillery fire, Army Inform reports. 

According to Hartpunkt, German company Quantum-Systems, in collaboration with Polish firm Weles Acoustics, is integrating advanced acoustic detectors into reconnaissance UAVs. These sensors capture sound waves from artillery and mortar fire, allowing for rapid identification of enemy firing positions.

Weighing under 50 grams, the sensors operate in the 20 Hz to 10 kHz range and can detect shots from up to 15 km away. Directional accuracy reaches 5° at a 5 km distance. Integration with neural networks enables the system to automatically identify weapon types, distinguishing, for example, a howitzer from a mortar.

In the initial phase, the operator receives a signal and visually confirms the target. In the future, machine vision algorithms will handle targeting automatically.

The technology is designed to:

• Reduce the time needed to locate enemy batteries
• Improve counter-battery effectiveness
• Minimize losses among Ukraine’s defense forces

Defense Express notes that a major challenge is filtering out noise from drone rotors and wind. Still, field test results have been convincing, and serial production is planned for late 2025.

Earlier, experts reported that Russia likely used a new jet-powered attack drone, the Geran-3, in a recent missile and drone strike on Kyiv. This model marks a significant upgrade over the slower Shahed-136 (Geran-2), boasting reported speeds of 550–600 km/h and a range of up to 2,500 km, compared to the Shahed-136’s 185 km/h.

Residents of Kyiv reported hearing a distinct whistling sound during the strike, consistent with a jet-powered drone and unlike the quieter propeller-driven models previously used. 

Germany aims to prioritize defense spending in the next EU budget while firmly opposing any increase in national contributions, according to a position paper obtained by the Financial Times (FT).

As the bloc’s largest economy and top net contributor, Berlin wants EU funds to support joint arms procurement and help expand production capacity among European weapons manufacturers.

The paper reportedly reflects Germany’s broader shift toward higher domestic military spending in response to Russia’s ongoing threat and amid calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to shoulder more of its own defense.

Berlin argues the EU budget should also fund dual-use technologies, military transport corridors, and other security-related initiatives despite current treaty restrictions on defence spending from the common budget, according to FT.

To free up funds for these priorities, Germany proposes cutting administrative costs and simplifying the EU budget structure. The government supports reducing the number of programes, granting the European Commission more flexibility to shift funds, and focusing spending on strategic areas such as cross-border infrastructure, energy security, digitalisation, and innovation.

Germany also opposes any extension of the EU’s post-Covid joint borrowing programme, stressing that repayments for the 800 billion euro fund must begin in 2028 as scheduled. While Berlin is open to discussing new EU-level revenue sources such as a carbon border levy or minimum corporate tax, it continues to reject an increase in direct national contributions to the budget, which currently total about 1% of EU GDP.

High stakes, low resolve: What Ukraine can expect from the upcoming G7 Leaders’ Summit

As world leaders prepare to gather in the remote community of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit on June 15-17, Russia’s war in Ukraine once again holds center stage — but views on how to address the three-year conflict diverge sharply. In the five months

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include Germany's announcement to supply Ukraine with $2.2 billion in additional military aid.

Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who added Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

The announcement comes amid escalating Russian aerial assaults, including a June 10 missile and drone strike on Kyiv, one of the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

"We are grateful for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems," Zelensky said on June 12. "We understand that deliveries are currently being planned... for the next three years. This is very important assistance."

The IRIS-T is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Pistorius confirmed the delivery timeline but firmly ruled out the possibility of sending Taurus missiles — weapons Kyiv has repeatedly requested to strike deep into Russian territory.

"You asked me whether we are considering this, and my answer is no," Pistorius said.

Before taking office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled openness to lifting former Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ban on the missiles. That stance has not yet resulted in a policy shift.

Ukraine has already received long-range missiles — including ATACMS from the U.S. and Storm Shadow and SCALP from the U.K. and France. Initially restricted to use within Ukrainian territory, Western allies only began easing those limitations in late 2024.

Germany is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe. Pistorius said that Berlin will provide 9 billion euros ($10.4 billion) in aid this year, with investments in defense production being considered. The total includes an additional commitment in military aid worth 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion).

"Today, we discussed that this aid will continue," he said. "We agreed on additional investments in production... both in Ukraine and in Germany."

Zelensky visited Berlin on May 28 for talks with Merz, part of an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine's defense industry amid uncertainty over U.S. support under President Donald Trump.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?

The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder. The modern propellants and explosives that power war have largely been offshored. While Western manufacturers are churning out shell casings, they are short on the materials to fill

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on June 12 to meet Ukrainian leaders and discuss future defense support for Ukraine, DPA news agency reported.

"We are doing everything we can to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself and get into a position where Russia is prepared to enter into serious negotiations," Pistorius said ahead of the departure, according to Reuters.

The visit marks Pistorius's first official trip to Ukraine as a minister in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new German government.

During former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s tenure, Defense Minister Pistorius made several visits to the war-torn country and played a key role in establishing Germany as Ukraine’s top European military donor.

Amid President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin on May 28, Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, signed an agreement allocating 5 billion euros ($5.76 billion) in military support to Ukraine.

Under the deal, Berlin agreed to help fund the production of long-range drones in Ukraine, tapping into the country's existing industrial capacities and technical expertise.

Berlin also reaffirmed its commitment to supply Ukraine with critical ammunition and weapons. The arms heading Kyiv's way include air defense systems, artillery, land weapons systems, and handguns.

Taurus cruise missiles, a much-coveted long-range weapon capable of striking targets 500 kilometers (300 miles) away, were not announced as part of the package.

Merz has pledged to maintain Germany's steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Berlin's role is even more crucial now as the U.S. Trump administration signaled its intent to cut down military assistance for Kyiv.

Since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Germany has provided Ukraine with almost 44 billion euros (around $50 billion) in various forms of support, the German government said.

Ukraine bracing for ‘painful’ reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

Editor’s note: For security reasons, the real names of the soldiers mentioned in this story have not been used. A reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be “painful” and could have potentially “dire consequences” for the global order, Ukrainian lawmakers and soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

The EU and Germany have topped up Ukraine’s Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) with an additional 18 million euros ($20.7 million) to expand their support for Ukraine’s energy independence and green recovery, the EU Delegation to Ukraine said on June 11.

The move was announced at the 10th meeting of the delegation's Coordination Council in Kyiv.

The EU provided 13 million euros ($15 million) of the new funding, while Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI) provided 5 million euros ($5.7 million).

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, will continue to manage the EEF’s trust fund.

The fund, established in 2019, is split into two programs: VidnovyDIM, which helps repair war-damaged homes, and EnergoDIM, which co-finances grants to cut energy consumption and costs by installing new insulation, windows, and heating systems.

“Today, when Russia is shelling Ukrainian homes almost every night, the VidnovyDIM Fund program helps families cover the costs of repairing walls, roofs, and windows so that they can return home safely and with dignity,” EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova said.

“In parallel, through the EnergoDIM program, we continue to support the thermal modernization of old buildings, which allows us to reduce energy consumption and monthly costs.”

Since 2021, the fund has grown from 90 projects to 1,500 projects, in cooperation with homeowners’ associations,  and helped Ukraine save 300 kilowatts per hour in energy consumption– as much as the city of Chernivtsi consumes. The EEF has helped over 217,000 families modernize and repair their homes, of which half were covered by the VidnovyDIM program.

The new financing will improve the efficiency of grants, raise the grant size to meet demand, and help more people under Ukraine’s environmentally sustainable “Build Back Better” principle. The grant limit should increase to more than 200,000 euros, said Ukraine’s Development of Communities and Territories First Deputy Minister Alena Shkrum.

The EFF will now be able to resume requests, which were paused due to the high number of applications. Around 10% of Ukraine’s housing stock has been damaged or destroyed, while much of the country’s heating system is from the Soviet era and inefficient, with apartments unable to control the heating in the winter.

Ukraine’s energy grid has been targeted relentlessly by Russian attacks, causing widespread energy instability across the country. At the same time, bills have increased for electricity and heating, frustrating citizens who have already taken a financial hit due to the war.

The fund has modernized homes and schools to become more energy efficient, which not only cuts costs but also retains warmth during blackouts, said the Shkrum. More Ukrainians are beginning to understand the importance of energy efficiency due to Russian attacks, “which is why the fund should continue functioning, reforming, and developing further,” she added.

DTEK to build one of Europe’s largest energy storage facilities, company announces

Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK secured a $72-million loan to build one of the largest battery energy storage complexes in Eastern Europe, the company said on June 3.

The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

Russia wants to test NATO's resolve by hostile steps beyond Ukraine, as some Russian officials believe the alliance's collective defense principle no longer works, German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl told the Table Media news outlet in an interview published on June 9.

"There are people in Moscow who no longer believe that NATO's Article 5 works. And they would like to test it," Kahl said in the podcast interview.

The comments come as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could be ready to launch an attack against the alliance within five years. Such stark warnings have become increasingly common since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The chief of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) noted that Moscow sees its war in Ukraine as "only a step on its path westward." Citing intelligence sources, he said Russia may seek to start a lower-intensity confrontation that will test the U.S.'s willingness to fulfill its obligations under Article 5.

"They don't need to send tanks for that," Kahl noted. "They just have to send 'little green men' to Estonia to defend the allegedly oppressed Russian minority."

Article 5 refers to a key principle of the North Atlantic Treaty, which obliges all members to treat an attack on one member as an attack on all and provide assistance. The article has been invoked only once, following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the U.S. in 2001.

The term "little green men" was first used in reference to Russian soldiers without insignia who seized key strategic facilities in Crimea in 2014 in the opening phase of the Russian occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

Concerns among NATO members about a potential Russian aggression and Washington's commitment to the alliance have grown since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January.

The new administration has signaled plans to reduce military presence in Europe, and Trump has even directly challenged the collective defense principle by saying the U.S. would not defend NATO members who do not invest sufficiently in their military capabilities.

New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Washington last week to meet Trump and discuss joint support for Ukraine and NATO's future. While the talks proceeded relatively smoothly, the German chancellor failed to obtain any concrete commitments from Trump.

Multiple Ukrainian and Western officials have warned that Russia may be preparing for an open confrontation with NATO after ending its war against Kyiv. The preparations may pick up pace if Western sanctions are lifted as part of a potential peace deal, Ukrainian intelligence said.

What UK’s Strategic Defense Review means for Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 2 that the United Kingdom is moving to “warfighting readiness,” in large part in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the threat Russia poses to Europe. He made the comment as his government unveiled its latest Strategic Defense Review, which

The Kyiv IndependentAlex Nichol

Germany is planning to quickly expand it network of air raid shelters and bunkers, in preparation for a potential Russian attack on the country, Ralph Tiesler, the head of the Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance said.

"For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare. That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe," Tiesler told the German Suddeutsche Zeitung news outlet on June 5.

Tiesler, the official in charge of civilian protection in Germany, said that only 580 of the country's 2,000 cold war-era bunkers were in working order. In its current condition, the shelters would house 480,000 people, a small fraction of the country's population that total 83 million people.

"We must quickly create space for 1 million people," Tiesler said. "Existing structures must be assessed and adapted without delay," warning that solely constructing new shelters would take too long.

The focus on revamping shelters comes amid ongoing fears that Russia may attack a NATO country within the next decade.

Germany's Defense Chief Carsten Breuer told BBC on June 1 that allies need to be prepared for an attack within the next four years.

"There's an intent and there's a build up of the stocks," Breuer said. "This is what the analysts are assessing - in 2029. So we have to be ready by 2029... If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight."

Breuer's comments were the latest in a series of increasingly dire warnings from Western leaders and defense officials about the threat emanating from Russia and Europe's current lack of preparedness.

Tiesler said that Germany would need to spend at least 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) to cover civil defense needs over the next four years, and 30 billion euros ($34 billion) over the next 10 years. Tiesler's office is expected to produce a detailed plan to the shelters' expansion, as well as addition civil defense needs this summer.

As concerns as to where Russia may launch an initial incursion into NATO territory mount, Russia has continued to restructure its military presence along its Baltic flank. Analysts and military experts believe that Russia may launch on initial attack on a country in the Baltic Sea region, given its strategic positioning and surroundings, including the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Russian Baltic Sea provocations ‘increasing threat of accidental military incidents,’ Latvian intelligence says

The annual report said Russia is using aggressive tactics, such as unauthorized airspace incursions and close encounters with NATO ships and aircraft.

The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk

U.S. President Donald Trump offered to increase supplies of American energy exports to Berlin but did not pledge additional military support to Ukraine or sanctions on Russia in a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on June 5.

The meeting was Merz's first visit to the White House since becoming chancellor.

When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany.

"We have so much oil and gas, you will not be able to buy it all. ... I hope we'll be able to make that part of our trade deal," Trump said during a joint press conference with Merz.  

While Merz spoke of a "duty" to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, Trump did not make any commitments to further military aid for Kyiv. In the same press conference, he compared Russia and Ukraine to fighting children and refused to name a deadline for imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Merz nonetheless praised Trump's role as a peacemaker between the two nations.

"I told the president before we came in: He is the key person in the world who can really (end the war) by putting pressure on Russia."

‘Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight,’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war

President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them.

The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

Trump has frequently brought up Europe's reliance on Russian energy when questioned about Washington's role in pressuring the Kremlin or supporting Ukraine.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 are gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 has never been activated, and the pipes shut down after suspected sabotage in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that discussions were underway with the U.S. to resume gas flows through the pipelines. Trump has pursued warmer relations and stronger economic ties with Moscow since his inauguration in January 2025.

Merz said on May 28 that the German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.

The leaders' discussion on June 6 focused primarily on Russia's war against Ukraine, NATO, and trade policy, Merz said in Berlin the day after the meeting. Merz insisted that Trump remains committed to NATO, despite the U.S. president's history of disparaging the alliance.

EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv’s path to European integration

The European Union is set to reinstate tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports on June 6. This is the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion that the EU will not renew an agreement suspending trade barriers between Ukraine and Europe. The end of tariff-free trade comes amid mounting opposition to Ukrainian

The Kyiv IndependentLuca Léry Moffat

Despite the US’s absence, the Ramstein meeting on 4 June kicked off a new era of military aid for Ukraine, with billions in investments and joint weapons production.

Ramstein moves forward without the US 

For the first time since the group’s creation, the US Secretary of Defense was absent from the meeting. 

The Pentagon explained that Pete Hegseth had a tight schedule, writes ArmyInform. He also won’t attend today’s NATO–Ukraine Council meeting, although he did arrive for the NATO ministerial and attended the Alliance’s headquarters on the morning of 5 June.

Nevertheless, the meeting results demonstrate that the rest of the allies remain committed to supporting Ukraine militarily, as confirmed by the announcement of new aid packages.

Ukraine and allies won’t just share weapons

The central takeaway from the Contact Group meeting was the agreement to create a joint defense production mechanism. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the concept came from partners offering to help establish defense production involving Ukrainian companies.

“Our partners are ready to fully finance the production, and the products made under Ukrainian licenses will be sent to Ukraine as long as the war continues,” he explained.

During the discussions, however, the plan evolved into mutual investment: Ukrainian manufacturers will be able to invest in partner countries, while companies from these countries will be able to build large-scale factories in Ukraine.

Umerov noted that the idea is still new, with details under discussion and no official name yet.

“We’re calling it ‘Ramstein investments in the defense industry,’ but this is a strategic breakthrough,” the minister emphasized.

There are already specific agreements on joint production:

• A Western European company announced it will produce modern anti-Shahed missiles in Ukraine,
• The UK and Ukraine will jointly manufacture LMM missiles and launchers,
• Rheinmetall is building cutting-edge Lynx combat vehicles in Ukraine,
• Ukrainian companies are producing ammunition under Nammo licenses,
• SAAB, Kongsberg, KNDS, FFG, and Raytheon are all expanding their presence in Ukraine.

The SAAB produces Gripen fighter jets, Raytheon manufactures Patriot missiles, the only type capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles, KNDS makes missiles for NASAMS, and FFG is notable for supplying military vehicles and equipment, including contributing Leopard 1A5 tanks. 

“Ukrainian drones have changed the situation on the battlefield, and now they will change how Ramstein countries prepare for future threats,” Umerov stated.

100,000 drones and a record £4.5 billion in aid

Before the session even began, London announced a new aid package with a special focus on drones: 100,000 drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces by the end of 2025, ten times more than last year, with record investments of £350 million.

Additionally, 140,000 artillery shells have already been delivered. Another £247 million will go toward training Ukrainian troops as part of Operation Interflex, which has already trained 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

German long-range weapons to be built on Ukrainian soil

Germany, in turn, confirmed its previously announced €5 billion military aid package. It includes funding for long-range weapons to be produced in Ukraine, as well as the delivery of air defense systems, weapons, and ammunition.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured that supporting Ukraine remains a priority both for the new German government and for him personally.

War at Sea: Netherlands, Canada, and Belgium expand maritime and electronic warfare fronts

Support for Ukraine goes far beyond just two countries. The Netherlands is focusing on maritime security: €400 million will go toward a mine countermeasure ship, boats, and maritime drones for Ukraine.

Norway is prioritizing support for Ukraine’s defense industry, allocating $700 million for drones and contributing $50 million to the NSATU fund.

Canada will provide $45 million for drones, electronic warfare equipment, and will send Coyote and Bison armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Belgium, which hosted Ramstein for the second time, announced a long-term initiative — committing to €1 billion annually in aid to Ukraine through 2029 and the delivery of a mine countermeasure vessel.

Sweden allocated €440 million for international programs to purchase artillery shells, drones, and other weaponry for Ukraine.

A German official has called on the European Union to take a "closer look" at the issue of frozen Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine, stressing the need to take a harder stance against the Kremlin.

Thorsten Frei, Head of the German Chancellery, stated in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on May 31 that the EU should "take a much closer look at the issue of Russian state funds than we have so far."

He also urged the EU to take a more assertive position against Moscow, adding that "we must not allow the game that Russia is playing with us to go unchallenged."

The question of frozen Russian assets, and what to do with them, has been discussed by the EU and other Western countries since the start of the full-scale invasion. Recently, the Group of Seven – including Germany – pledged to keep Russian assets frozen until the end of the war.

Frei's comments suggest that Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz may be open to the idea of seizing the approximately €200 billion ($227 billion) in Russian state assets in the EU.

Frei also mentioned the 18th package of EU sanctions currently under preparation, citing them as an example of tougher measures against Russia. According to Frei, the upcoming sanctions are a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to comply with demands for a ceasefire.

"Measures are being prepared that are tougher than before, and which some European states have therefore shied away from so far," Frei said, stressing that the sanctions package will have "far-reaching punitive measures."

Frei added that the sanctions package will target Russia's shadow fleet, energy sector, financial sector, and Nord Stream pipelines.

"If you want to achieve a ceasefire by peaceful means, then your tools are limited," Frei said. "That is why I am very much in favor of using the tools at your disposal."

Senate to ‘start moving’ Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says

The proposed bill would introduce expansive penalties on Russia and impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian fossil fuels.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Switzerland’s federal government has approved on 28 May the sale of 71 Leopard 1 battle tanks by defense contractor Ruag MRO to Germany, while explicitly prohibiting their export to Ukraine, in line with Swiss neutrality laws. This was reported by SWI swissinfo.ch.

In 2023, Switzerland’s state-owned arms manufacturer Ruag sought to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks to the German arms company Rheinmetall for eventual use in Ukraine. The tanks, acquired from the Italian Ministry of Defense in 2016, were originally purchased for resale or as a source of spare parts. They are currently stored in Italy.

However, the Swiss government blocked a proposed sale the same year of the tanks to Germany due to concerns they could be transferred to Ukraine. Swiss law prohibits the export of war matériel to countries involved in armed conflicts.

Following that decision, Ruag MRO submitted an application to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for a license to carry out the sale. However, according to the federal government, no license is necessary in this case. Germany is listed among countries to which military matériel can be sold without requiring special authorization.

Despite the green light for the transaction with Germany, the tanks “may expressly not be sold to Ukraine,” the report noted.

NATO wants Germany to contribute seven more brigades, or roughly 40,000 troops, to boost collective defense against Russia, Bloomberg and Reuters reported on May 28, citing their sources.

The news comes amid mounting tensions between the alliance and Russia and an increasingly uncertain U.S. commitment to European security.

The alliance's overall demand for the number of brigades provided by member states could go from 80 to between 120 and 130, an undisclosed senior official told Reuters.

Germany agreed to provide 10 brigades to NATO by 2030. It currently fields nine brigades — each comprising around 5,000 soldiers — including one new formation stationed in Lithuania.

Though no firm date for implementing the changes has been set, 2030 has been mentioned as a preferred deadline, Bloomberg reported.

Allied defense ministers are expected to discuss the matter during a meeting in Brussels next week.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted European countries to hike defense spending in order to revive their military capabilities, which atrophied after decades of disarmament following the Cold War.

The matter gained more urgency after signals that the U.S., the most powerful military in NATO, plans to scale down its presence in Europe as President Donald Trump shifts strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko recently warned that Russia will be able to replenish its forces between two and four years after the war in Ukraine, allowing it to launch aggression against Europe.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

Latest: Germany pledges 5 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, no Taurus missiles announced A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that a potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine is not being ruled out.

"Of course, that's within the realm of possibility," Merz said on air on ZDF TV channel when asked about the possibility of Taurus deliveries for Kyiv.

The chancellor nevertheless emphasized that using the missiles would require a lengthy training period, potentially taking "several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine."

The comments come after Merz hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on May 28. During the visit, the German government announced 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in new military assistance and financial support for the Ukrainian long-range missiles program.

Merz made no new announcements about a delivery of Taurus missiles. Zelensky's visit was accompanied by fresh speculations about a possible policy reversal, as Merz declared earlier this week that Germany and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv.

The chancellor later clarified he was referring to a decision made "many months ago."

Talking to ZDF, Merz said that a delivery within six months or a year would be of no use to Ukraine today, which is why Berlin is focusing on improving Ukraine's current military position.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn the ban of his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, on delivering Taurus to Ukraine.

The Taurus is a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles), more than the long-range capabilities Ukraine received from other partners.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadow/SCALP for more than two, initially being allowed to deploy them only against Russian targets on Ukrainian territory.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus’ manufacturer, MBDA’s French affiliate. The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead — Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker.

Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems

Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of “long-range fires” manufactured by Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Exclusive

Apocalypse comes to Kostiantynivka as tens of thousands of Russians march on the strategic town. Tens of thousands of Russian troops are surging toward Kostyantynivka. Next stop: Kramatorsk,Ukraine’s last line of defense in Donetsk Oblast. A major fight is coming.

The UN confirmed what I saw in Kherson: Russia is hunting civilians for sport. What I witnessed wasn’t random violence—it was systematic hunting.

Military

Ukraine hits Russian cruise missile factory near Moscow with long-range drones. Ukrainian drones successfully bypassed Russian air defenses to strike Raduga plant which produces the same Kh-101/555 cruise missiles that Russia uses to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Frontline report: Romania and the US just drew a red line as the Black Sea boils over. As the Black Sea war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, NATO allies are tightening defenses.

Ukrainian strikes hit drone manufacturer near Moscow as Russia claims 296 Ukrainian drones shot down. A drone factory in the Moscow Oblast was hit by Ukrainian aircraft as the Russian capital’s mayor reportedly issued 17 attack warnings in one day.

Frontline report: Russian thermobaric artillery spotted in Kharkiv gets obliterated by Ukrainian drones within hours. Ukrainian intel confirms Russian assessments show four months of operational weather before seasonal mud returns, as Russian forces mass 50,000 troops to expand from limited buffer zones to full conquest of Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.

Night attack injures at least 12 people as Russia launches 88 drones and six missiles at Ukraine. Explosions were heard in Kharkiv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Kirovohrad oblasts

As of 28 MAY 2025, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 983890 (+1050)
    • Tanks: 10864 (+4)
    • APV: 22644 (+2)
    • Artillery systems: 28355 (+18)
    • MLRS: 1397
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 1171
    • Aircraft: 372
    • Helicopters: 336
    • UAV: 37918 (+65)
    • Cruise missiles : 3265
    • Warships/boats: 28
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 49959 (+52)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine and Germany sign agreement on long-range weapons. Germany will directly finance long-range weapons production on Ukrainian soil under a new agreement signed by both countries’ defense ministers.

Zelenskyy: 50,000 Russian troops mass near Sumy bordering Russia’s Kursk for new offensive. The Ukrainian president stated that Moscow aims to establish a 10-km (6 miles) “buffer zone” inside Ukrainian territory, though he expressed doubt about Russian capabilities to achieve this strategic objective.

Germany allocates $5.7 billion for Ukraine for weapons, ammunition and satellite communications. Germany will fund long-range weapon systems manufactured in Ukraine under agreements reached during President Zelensky’s visit to Berlin.

Forbes: Ukraine deploys AI turrets against record Russian drone attacks. The Sky Sentinel system costs one-hundredth the price of comparable US systems while defending against 120 mph drone attacks. A prototype Ukrainian robot gun has already shot down four Shahed drones

Russia aims to produce 500 drones daily as Ukraine strikes back with 400-drone attack. Russia has received orders to produce 500 drones daily but currently maintains capacity for only 300-350, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

International

Russia delays promised ceasefire memorandum ahead of new peace talks. Ukraine gives Russia four-day deadline. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov claimed that the exchange of documents with conditions to end the war was supposed to be mutual following the 16 May Istanbul meeting, but only Ukraine has delivered its proposals to Russian delegation head.

Trump uncertain if Putin wants to end war, open to joining Zelensky-Putin meeting if needed. Trump also noted that he was very “disappointed” by the recent deadly attacks on civilians in Ukraine during the negotiation process.

Senior Russian official responds to Trump comment with World War III threat. US envoy calls this “reckless”. Keith Kellogg called for a ceasefire and reminded that the US is still awaiting the Russian memorandum for ending the war.

Putin-Zelenskyy meeting possible but needs delegation agreements, Kremlin says. Russia’s top spokesman confirmed Moscow remains open to a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting but only after their negotiating teams reach preliminary agreements.

Record 81% of Europeans support common defense policy amid Ukraine war. Trust in the European Union has reached its highest point in 18 years. A poll shows that 59% of EU citizens support the purchase and supply of weapons for Ukraine.

Reuters: Russia demands written pledge to halt “NATO eastward expansion” and sanctions relief. Putin wants Ukraine’s neutrality, protection for Russian speakers, and guarantees against NATO membership for former Soviet republics, while Ukraine rejects all these demands.

Zelenskyy visits Germany as Taurus missile debate intensifies over Ukraine aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May as Germany’s new chancellor considers reversing his predecessor’s ban on Taurus missile deliveries.

Lithuania aid meant for Ukrainians went to citizens of other countries, including Russia and Belarusia. The European Social Fund Agency dismissed its director after an audit revealed that over $1,1 mn in Ukrainian refugee aid went to ineligible recipients.

Humanitarian and social impact

“Russia destroys future of Ukraine”: Russian missile strike killed three siblings aged 8, 12, 17. Hundreds of Ukrainians attended funeral services for the Martyniuk children, including 17-year-old Roman, 8-year-old Stanislav, and 12-year-old Tamara, whose parents survived the attack.

Political and legal developments

Russia builds power lines to restart and connect seized Ukrainian nuclear plant to its grid. The occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, captured by Russian forces in March 2022, would become the first nuclear facility seized by one nation during war and operated for another country’s energy needs if Moscow’s plans succeed.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have signed an agreement on financing long-range weapons of Ukrainian production, according to a press release from the German defense ministry.

“Germany will finance the production of long-range weapons directly on the territory of Ukraine,” the German defense ministry said. The two ministers signed the agreement in Berlin. The ministry added that “this agreement is also a continuation of Germany’s previously announced promise to invest in weapons production in Ukraine.”

The German Defense Ministry said that Ukraine’s defense industry has untapped production capacities and technical potential for manufacturing modern systems.

This agreement was signed as a Ukrainian delegation headed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May. Zelenskyy held a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to reportedly discuss Ukraine’s capability to respond symmetrically to Russian strikes. The discussion focused specifically on weapons production, including long-range weapons.

“It is important that we work together to bring peace closer and give our people more security. And it is important that we try to be as effective as possible in this,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media after the meeting.

At a press conference on 28 May, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz announced the expansion of military aid to Ukraine. 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed an agreement regarding the provision of ammunition packages for various weapon systems. Ammunition for important air defense systems, land weapon systems, and small arms will be delivered soon. The support measures for Ukrainian armed forces have a total scope of around 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion). The money comes from funds already approved by the Bundestag, according to the ministry.

The agreement also includes German financing for the production of long-range weapon systems in Ukraine. Merz also confirmed that there would be no restrictions for Ukraine regarding the use of long-range weapons against Russia.

The agreement represents a shift toward direct investment in Ukrainian weapons manufacturing rather than just weapons transfers. Germany’s commitment extends beyond immediate military aid to building Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities.

These German cruise missiles can strike targets at distances of 500 kilometers. Before becoming chancellor, Merz signaled he would overturn his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s ban on delivering the missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has called for a long time upon Germany to provide the weapons to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Scholz had ruled out the move due to escalation fears. Merz has not yet approved the deliveries. The Taurus missile policy has become a point of contention between the CDU/CSU and their Social Democratic coalition partners.

The German chancellor declared earlier this week that Berlin and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Ukraine. Some viewed this as a signal of an incoming policy change on Taurus missiles.

On 26 May, Merz said that weapons supplied by Germany to Ukraine no longer face range restrictions for use against Russian territory. He clarified that the US, Britain, France and Germany lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia several months ago.

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil responded that the government coalition had made no new agreements about changing course on lifting restrictions for Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Taurus missiles represent the only long-range German weapons Ukraine has requested from Germany. Ukraine previously received long-range missiles from the US, UK, and France. These included ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles. Ukraine was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed an agreement in Berlin to finance long-range weapons of Ukrainian production, according to the German Defense Ministry. A contract between Ukraine and the German defense industry was also concluded.

Umerov traveled to the German capital together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks. The support measures for Ukrainian armed forces have a total scope of around five billion euros ($5,7 bn), the Defense Ministry reported. The money comes from funds already approved by the Bundestag.

Germany will finance the production of long-range weapon systems in Ukraine. A significant number of long-range weapon systems will be produced in 2025. The first systems reportedly can be deployed in just a few weeks.

Additional ammunition packages for various weapon systems, including ammunition for important air defense systems, land weapon systems and small arms, will be delivered soon as well.

Minister Pistorius emphasized Germany’s unchanged position during the Ukrainian Defense Minister’s visit on 28 May 2025, in Berlin’s Bendlerblock. 

The meeting comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. 

The visit comes as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to discuss potential steps for further technical negotiations between Ukraine and Russia during their personal meeting.

Editor's note: The story was updated to reflect comments made by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Germany has unveiled a military aid package for Ukraine worth 5 billion euros ($5.65 billion), the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement on May 28 after Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Berlin.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed the accord in Berlin's Bendlerblock, the headquarters of the German Defense Ministry. The agreement includes direct German investments in Ukraine's defense industry and a broader treaty between Kyiv and German arms manufacturers.

Under the new agreement, Germany will help fund the production of long-range weapons systems inside Ukraine — tapping into the country's existing industrial capacities and technical expertise, the statement read.

German Defense Ministry said a significant number of these systems are expected to be manufactured by the end of 2025, with the first batch ready for deployment in the coming weeks. Since these systems are already in service with the Ukrainian military, no additional training is needed for their use.

Berlin also reaffirmed its commitment to supply Ukraine with critical ammunition and weapons. The arms heading Kyiv's way include air defense systems, artillery, systems of land weapons and handguns. No Taurus missiles were publicly announced as part of the package.

"Germany has committed to supporting investment in the Ukrainian defense industry and encouraging others to do the same, particularly in the area of air defense," Umerov said on social media after the agreement was announced. "Sincere thanks to our partners for their leadership and consistent support of Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression."

The meeting between Merz and Zelensky in Berlin was preceded by speculation that Germany would finally reverse its long-held policy of not sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv over fears of escalating the war against Russia.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn a ban imposed by his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadows for more than two.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus’ manufacturer, MBDA’s French affiliate.

The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead — Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker.

The missile can penetrate and actually count layers before the final explosion, maximizing damage.

Taurus would represent a major upgrade to Ukraine’s deep-strike firepower, primarily because it can blast through denser Russian fortifications. It would also help in Ukraine's years-long quest to take down the Crimean Bridge.

As part of the new agreement, the two nations have also agreed to establish repair facilities in Ukraine to improve the sustainability of its armed forces. Defense firms from both countries are expected to form joint ventures to manage these operations.

Berlin will also continue funding satellite communications and military leadership communication systems, extending a commitment first made in April. Additional medical aid, including equipment produced in Ukraine, will be financed as part of the agreement.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.

Speaking during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, Merz vowed to "further increase the pressure on Russia" as Moscow intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Kyiv's European partners have pledged to ramp up economic pressure on Russia as it continues to reject a ceasefire. Though no step has been taken so far, Zelensky hinted on May 27 that the EU's upcoming 18th package could have a significant impact on the Russian economy.

According to earlier reporting, the upcoming package could include a complete ban on restarting Nord Stream pipelines and new banking sanctions.

The goal of the sanctions must be to "weaken Moscow's war machine," Merz added.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 are gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 has never been activated, and the pipes shut down after suspected sabotage in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that discussions were underway with the United States to resume gas flows through the pipelines.

Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more

Sanctions on their own won’t end the war, but they are a crucial tool in the West’s efforts to pressure Putin.

The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of "long-range fires" made by Ukrainian producers, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.

Berlin will also help finance the operations of Starlink in Ukraine, a U.S. satellite communications system crucial for the Ukrainian military, Merz added.

"There will be no restrictions on long-range weapons, Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself and also strike military targets outside the territory of Ukraine," Merz said alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference in Berlin.

"This is the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries, which has significant potential." He added that the production itself can take place either in Ukraine or Germany.

The meeting between Merz and Zelensky was preceded by speculation that Germany would finally reverse its long-held policy of not sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv over fears of escalating the war against Russia.

Speaking at the conference, Merz evaded answering a direct question about potential Taurus deliveries and refused to discuss military support for Ukraine in detail.

"We will continue our military support and expand it," Merz said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the chancellor's statements a "provocation" and suggested it may hinder peace efforts.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls by Kyiv and its Western partners for a ceasefire and only intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn a ban on Taurus deliveries imposed by his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadows for more than two.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

With Western arms running thin, Ukraine has sought to develop its own long-range weapons, including ballistic missiles and drone-missile hybrids.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May, with his plane landing at Schönefeld Airport, according to Ukrinform.

The visit comes as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to discuss potential steps for further technical negotiations between Ukraine and Russia during their personal meeting.

The trip has sparked renewed speculation about possible delivery of Taurus missiles. These German cruise missiles can strike targets at distances of 500 kilometers. Before becoming chancellor, Merz signaled he would overturn his predecessor Olaf Scholz’s ban on delivering the missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has called upon Germany to provide the weapons to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Scholz had ruled out the move due to escalation fears. Merz has not yet approved the deliveries. The Taurus missile policy has become a point of contention between the CDU/CSU and their Social Democratic coalition partners.

The German chancellor declared earlier this week that Berlin and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Ukraine. Some viewed this as a signal of an incoming policy change on Taurus missiles.

On 26 May, Merz said that weapons supplied by Germany to Ukraine no longer face range restrictions for use against Russian territory. He clarified that the US, Britain, France and Germany lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia several months ago.

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil responded that the government coalition had made no new agreements about changing course on lifting restrictions for Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian territory.

Taurus missiles represent the only long-range German weapons Ukraine has requested from Germany. Ukraine previously received long-range missiles from the US, UK, and France. These included ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles. Ukraine was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

In late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions. This allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

Germany has been Ukraine’s leading military donor on the continent. Its support has become more crucial for Kyiv as US backing grows increasingly uncertain under President Donald Trump.

Editor's note: The story was updated with recent developments.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on May 28 for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Germany seeks to project continued support for Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression.

The two leaders will discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said. Zelensky is also expected to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Zelensky was welcomed by Merz shortly after his arrival, with the Ukrainian delegation also including Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and other aides.

The visit comes amid renewed speculation of a potential delivery of Taurus missiles, Germany's cruise missiles capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles).

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz's, ban on delivering the missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has called upon Germany to provide the weapons to be able to strike targets deep inside the Russian rear, while Scholz has ruled out the move due to fears of escalation.

Merz is yet to greenlight the deliveries, as a change of policy on Taurus missiles has become a point of contention between the CDU/CSU and their Social Democratic (SPD) coalition partners.

Adding to the confusion, the German chancellor declared earlier this week that Berlin and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Ukraine, which some saw as a signal of an incoming change of policy on Taurus missiles.

Merz later clarified he was referring to a step made months ago, and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil confirmed that the new government has made no new decision in this regard.

Earlier in May, the German government announced that it would no longer publish arms it had delivered to Ukraine, meaning that a potential supply of Taurus missiles may not be announced to the public.

Speaking to journalists in Kyiv on May 27, Zelensky said he would discuss the issue of long-range arms for Ukraine with Merz, adding he has not heard any signals about a change in policy.

Ukraine has previously received long-range missiles from the U.S., the U.K., and France — including ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP — but was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

Germany has been Ukraine's leading military donor on the continent, and its support is even more crucial for Kyiv now as U.S. backing grows increasingly uncertain under President Donald Trump.

Merz has repeatedly called for a united European response to unrelenting Russian aggression in Ukraine and pledged to impose tougher sanctions if Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

On 26 May, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said there is “no new agreement” on lifting range restrictions for German-supplied weapons to Ukraine, directly contradicting a statement made earlier the same day by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

According to German broadcaster NTV, Klingbeil, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), made the comment in response to a question at a press conference in Berlin, saying:

“On the issue of range, let me just say, there is no new agreement that goes beyond what the previous government did.”

The SPD is also the party of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who throuout his time in office feared “escalation” with Russia, consistently refused to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, and was cautious about the use of Western weapons against Russian territory.

NTV notes that Merz’s move does not appear to have been coordinated with Vice Chancellor Klingbeil, raising uncertainty over whether his statements reflect an actual policy change or merely reference the use of Western missiles against Russian territory that has been occurring since last fall.

Merz claims Ukraine can now strike Russia with Western arms

NTV reported that Klingbeil’s remark followed a statement by Chancellor Merz at the WDR Europaforum 2025 in Berlin, where Merz declared that there were “no longer any range restrictions” for weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither from Germany, nor from France, the United Kingdom, nor the United States.

Later that afternoon, Merz posted on X:

“We will do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine. This also means no more range restrictions on the weapons we deliver. Ukraine can now also defend itself by striking military positions in Russia.”

According to NTV, Merz also claimed that the policy change was part of discussions held with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during their joint visit to Kyiv two weeks earlier. He said:

 “This means that Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example,” said Merz. Until recently, Ukraine had not been able to do this, or only in a few exceptional cases, but “now it can.”

NTV noted that while Merz had previously spoken in favor of sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, he made no comment on that system during his latest statement.

The current German government, led by Merz, has stated it will no longer provide specific information on what weapons are being supplied to Ukraine.

Russian threats

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Merz’s statement. In an interview, cited by NTV, Peskov said:

“If these decisions have indeed been made, they are in stark contradiction to our efforts to find a political solution,” he said, calling Merz’s statement “a rather dangerous decision.”

Reactions inside Germany

German politician Ralf Stegner (SPD) stated that while individual exceptions to range restrictions might be reasonable, Merz’s overall statement was “not helpful,” adding: “I believe everything that escalates the war is wrong.” 

Sören Pellmann, leader of the Left Party faction, called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “a terrible crime,” but said: “The delivery of more and more, and heavier and heavier weapons has not ended the war,” also warning against “escalation.”

By contrast, Agnieszka Brugger, deputy leader of the Greens’ parliamentary group, welcomed Merz’s statement, calling it “logical and long overdue.”

Editor's note: The story was updated with a comment from German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified on May 27 that his comments on the West lifting range restrictions on arms for Ukraine referred to a step made months ago.

"The issue of limiting the range of deployed weapons played a role a few months and a few years ago. As far as I know, and as I said yesterday, the countries that imposed range limitations have long since abandoned these requirements," Merz said during a press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku.

"In this respect, yesterday in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory."

Speaking at a forum on May 26, Merz said that "there are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine" imposed by Germany, the U.S., the U.K., or France.

"This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military positions in Russia," the chancellor added. "Until recently, it couldn’t do that, and apart from very few exceptions, it hadn’t done so either."

Ukraine has previously received long-range missiles from the U.S., the U.K., and France — including ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP — but was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

Merz's comments on May 26 caused some confusion as to whether he was referring to a newly announced policy, drawing both praise and rebuke. Ralf Stegner, a politician from Merz's coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), told the media the move was "unhelpful" and called instead for intensifying diplomatic efforts.

In turn, a former German defense minister and ex-leader of Merz's CDU party, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, praised Merz for his comments.

Merz's latest statement in Turku indicates that his earlier comment referred to the decision taken in late 2024 rather than a new policy. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil seemingly confirmed this, saying at a press conference that no new decision has been made "beyond what the previous government has done."

Before becoming chancellor, Merz signaled he would overturn the ban of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, on the delivery of Germany's Taurus cruise missiles, capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles). He has not confirmed whether he intends to deliver the missiles since taking office.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Debunking Putin’s ‘root causes’ claims

As Russia continues to bombard cities and towns across Ukraine, Russian officials have hardened their position against a ceasefire, continuing to repeat the obscure demand that the war’s “root causes” be addressed before agreeing to any truce. For months, the phrase “root causes” has become a go-to talking point

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

Germany is planning to send Ukraine older PAC-2 Patriot missiles to replenish its dwindling stockpiles of air defense ammunition, the Washington Post (WP) reported on May 26, citing a European diplomat.

The U.S.-made Patriot air defense system is widely recognized for its high-precision detection, tracking, and interception of aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles. Kyiv is running out of  ammunition for its Patriots as Russia intensifies its drone and missile attacks.

In early May, the U.S. authorized Germany to transfer 100 Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. Speaking to the WP anonymously, a European diplomat in Kyiv said that Berlin plans to send older PAC-2 missiles, which are less effective at intercepting ballistic missiles than the newer PAC-3 Patriots.

A senior Ukrainian intelligence official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that even PAC-3 missiles cannot intercept Russia's Oreshnik, the new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Moscow used to attack the city of Dnipro in November.  

The European diplomat added that the only other air defense weapon potentially capable of shooting down ballistics is the Aster, a French-Italian missile. This capability has not yet been proven, he said.

The more modern PAC-3 missiles are designed with "hit-to-kill" precision targeting technology, which the older PAC-2s lack. PAC-3s are also smaller, lighter, and more manueverable than PAC-2 missiles. A standard Patriot launcher can fit 16 PAC-3s at once, compared to only four PAC-2s.

The claim that Germany's latest air defense package may consist of less effective missiles comes after Ukraine endured three consecutive nights of large-scale Russian attacks. Moscow bombarded Kyiv and other cities with ballistic and cruise missiles while also launching a record number of drones at Ukraine.

After the first attack, Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said that Russia has upgraded its ballistic missiles with radar decoys and evasive maneuvers, making them potentially harder to intercept even by Patriot systems.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to buy 10 Patriot batteries from Washington, but U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the request. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 20 that Washington is looking for other NATO nations to supply Ukraine with additional Patriots.

Ukraine war latest: West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany’s Merz says

Key developments on May 26: * West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany’s Merz says * Russia launches record 355 drones at Ukraine; 6 killed, 24 injured over past 24 hours * Russian drone production site, chemical plant targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike * Netherlands to send last of

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced a tougher stance against Hungary and Slovakia over their continued obstruction of EU sanctions targeting Russia, German TV channel NTV reported. Actions against them can include withdrawal of EU funds from the countries.

Speaking at the WDR-Europaforum on 26 May, Merz said, referring to the restraining role of both states in the EU sanctions against Russia:

“We will not be able to avoid a conflict with Hungary and Slovakia if this course continues.”

He emphasized that both governments represent only a “small minority” among the 27 EU member states, yet have used their veto powers to block or weaken sanctions.

“We cannot allow the decisions of the entire European Union to depend on a small minority,” Merz stated.

Pressure tools within the EU

According to the German chancellor, the EU has a range of instruments it can apply to increase pressure on the pro-Russian governments of Slovakia and Hungary. Among them are infringement proceedings for violations of rule-of-law obligations and the possible suspension of EU funding for Budapest and Bratislava.

“But there is always the option of withdrawing European funds from them,” Merz said, referencing legal mechanisms available under EU treaties. While he added that he does not seek conflict, he made it clear: “If it is necessary, then we will deal with them.”

Merz had spoken directly with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the previous week.