“This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, including strikes on military targets in Russia. Until recently, it could not do this, and until recently, with very few exceptions, it did not do so. Now it can. It can hit military targets in the rear, and this is a decisive qualitative change in Ukraine’s warfare,” the German chancellor stressed.

Merz pointed out that Russia “ruthlessly attacks civilian targets, bombing cities, kindergartens, hospitals and elderly care homes”.

“Ukraine does not do this, and we attach great importance to keeping it that way,” he added.