The Voice News: Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz has assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Berlin will assist Kyiv in manufacturing long-range missiles to bolster its defense against Russian aggression. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz emphasized Germany’s commitment to expanding military support but refrained from disclosing specific details about the missile types.
When asked whether Germany would supply Kyiv with Taurus missiles—capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) away—Merz responded, “We want to talk about production and will not publicly discuss details.” Later on Wednesday, German and Ukrainian defense ministers were expected to formalize a “memorandum of understanding” regarding the collaboration on long-range missile production.
This announcement comes shortly after Merz took office earlier this month, with a promise to enhance Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine. He also confirmed that Western allies have already lifted previous range restrictions on weapons supplied to Kyiv, signaling a significant shift in policy.
Kremlin Reacts with Concern
The Kremlin swiftly criticized any potential removal of missile range limits, warning that such a move could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as a dangerous policy change but acknowledged that decisions on range restrictions had already been made months ago by Western powers.
Calls for Peace Talks and Sanctions
President Zelensky has repeatedly pushed for renewed peace negotiations involving three key leaders: himself, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and former US President Donald Trump. Zelensky stated he is open to any negotiation format but insists on direct dialogue to end the war. While Moscow has not outright rejected the idea, Peskov indicated that such a meeting would only occur after concrete agreements between delegations are reached.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that dates for further talks could be announced soon but stressed Moscow’s demand that Ukraine adopts a “neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status” as a precondition.
Meanwhile, Zelensky urged Washington to impose stronger sanctions targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors, following discussions with Trump. The former US president reportedly confirmed that additional sanctions would be applied if Russia continues its aggression.
Military Developments on the Ground
Despite diplomatic efforts, Ukraine reported one of its largest drone attacks against Russian positions overnight into Wednesday. Zelensky revealed that over 900 Russian drones had been launched in a three-day period ending Monday, highlighting the intense aerial conflict.
On the northeastern front near the Sumy region, Russian forces have escalated their offensive, capturing several villages and amassing more than 50,000 troops. The Kremlin aims to establish so-called “security buffer zones” along the Ukrainian border, further complicating the battlefield dynamics.
Sumy’s regional governor, Oleh Hryhorov, confirmed that four villages had fallen to Russian control, with ongoing clashes near other settlements.
War’s Toll and Current Status
Now entering its fourth year, the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and devastated large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia continues to occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.
Zelensky has accused Moscow of deliberately delaying the peace process, noting the absence of a promised peace memorandum after recent talks in Istanbul. However, Kremlin officials assert the document is in its “final stages.”