Kremlin reacts to West lifting long-range weapons limit for Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 26 that the decision by Western countries supporting Ukraine to lift restrictions on Kiev's use of long-range weapons goes against Russia's efforts towards a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Mr Peskov made the comments in response to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Ukraine was no longer subject to range limits on Western-supplied weapons.

"If such decisions were indeed made, they are completely contrary to our aspirations for a political settlement and to the efforts that are currently being made towards a peaceful settlement," Mr. Peskov said.

“Quite dangerous decisions, again – if they were actually made,” he stressed.

At the EuropaForum on 26 May, Mr Merz said there were “no longer any range restrictions” on Western-supplied weapons that Ukraine uses against Russian military targets. “There are no restrictions from the UK, France, Germany or the US,” he added, Euronews quoted him as saying.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Western countries against facilitating long-range strikes by Ukraine, arguing that this could make the military bloc (NATO) a direct participant in the conflict, as such strikes would require targeting data from NATO satellites – capabilities that Kiev does not possess.

Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine last November, following discussions by Ukraine's backers about whether to allow Kiev to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expanded the list of conditions that could trigger a nuclear response, including scenarios where aggression by a non-nuclear state or group of states supported by a nuclear state could be considered a "joint attack."

Since then, according to RT, Ukrainian forces have launched multiple long-range strikes deep into Russian territory using weapons supplied by the West. Despite the changes, the doctrine still describes nuclear weapons as “an extreme and compulsory measure” and emphasizes Russia’s goal of avoiding escalation.

Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, saying they only fuel the fire and hamper efforts toward a peace process. Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since 2022. The two sides agreed to present detailed ceasefire proposals, carry out a record 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap and continue negotiations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 23 that Moscow is at an "advanced stage" in preparing a memorandum outlining the principles and timetable for a peaceful settlement with Ukraine.