Scholz: Long-Range Strikes on Russia "Not in Line with My Personal Position"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that he does not support easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of German weapons to strike Russian territory.

Scholz stated that the German government has made "several decisions" regarding military support for Ukraine, "which are very clear to me." Among them is the decision that Germany will not lift restrictions on range.

He said this in New York ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, September 23, reports DPA.

"Long-range strikes on Russia are not in line with my personal position... We will not do this. And we have strong reasons for that," he added.

The Chancellor also reiterated that Berlin will not supply Ukraine with long-range precision weapons in the future, regardless of decisions made by NATO partners.

The longest-range weapon currently supplied by Germany is the Mars II missile system, capable of hitting targets at a distance of 84 kilometers. This system, along with the Panzerhaubitze 2000, which has a range of 56 kilometers, is permitted by Berlin for use against targets on Russian territory near the Kharkiv region.

Ukraine is seeking permission to deploy long-range missiles to target Russian air bases and military infrastructure responsible for attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy facilities. Earlier on September 16, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss gaining support for his proposal to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles for deep strikes within Russia.