The Kremlin views Merz’s statements about long-range strikes as an escalation amid the fragile peace process on Ukraine

The statements by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about long-range strikes “dissonate” with the peace process in Ukraine, which “is just beginning and is in a very fragile state.”

This was stated by the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov.

The Kremlin spokesperson called the situation surrounding this statement “considerable confusion,” but said that if the statement is accurate, it represents an “escalation.”

“European countries, by making statements about long-range weapons, are creating uncertainty not only for Russia, but for themselves. If the decision to lift restrictions on long-range weapons was indeed made by Europe, it’s immediately several steps toward additional confrontation,” Peskov stated.

It’s worth recalling that yesterday Merz said that Germany, along with other Western countries, had lifted restrictions on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine. This sparked rumors that Berlin had decided to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, but today Merz had to clarify that he was referring to an earlier decision and that nothing has changed.