German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to help Ukraine produce its own long-range weapons that it can use to attack targets outside the territory it claims. Moscow has criticized the move, saying it further escalates the conflict and undermines peace efforts.

Earlier this week, Merz stated that there are “no longer any range restrictions” on weapons supplied to Ukraine by the UK, France, Germany, and the US, claiming that the limits were lifted “several months ago.”

On Wednesday, the chancellor said he also informed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky that Berlin would support Ukraine in developing its own missile capabilities. “Our defense ministers will sign a memorandum of understanding today regarding the procurement of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons systems,” Merz told reporters in Berlin.

“We also want to ensure joint production, but we will not disclose details publicly,” he said, adding that there will be no range restrictions on these weapons and that Kiev will be allowed to attack targets outside its own territory.

Merz dodged a question from reporters about whether Berlin would also provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, which are capable of reaching the Russian capital. 

Bild newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that Germany is unlikely to supply Taurus missiles, given that officials in Berlin view the issue as “taboo,” fearing it could lead to a major escalation.

Moscow has condemned Merz’s initiative, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Germany is “competing with France for primacy in further provoking war.”

Following Merz’s earlier claim about the lifting of restrictions on the use of Western long-range weapons, Peskov warned that this could lead to a “serious escalation” of the Ukraine conflict. He added that it “severely undermines attempts for a peaceful settlement that have been made,” referring to the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years earlier this month.

Peskov also pointed out that Kiev lacks the necessary targeting systems to conduct long-range strikes independently and argued that enabling these attacks would make Western countries direct participants in the conflict.

“These statements are further proof that the European Union is not striving for peace and does not want to resolve the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy,” Peskov said, according to Russian media.