RT: Russia Could Target Berlin If German Missiles Hit Moscow

"Of course, it is within the realms of possibility," the new German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, told TV channel ZDF when asked if Germany would supply long-range weapons for Ukrainian troops. This is after he claimed that leading allies such as the US, UK, German, and France have lifted "absolutely" all restrictions on arms limits - something which Washington has yet to confirm or deny.

Merz hinted that Berlin might transfer its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine this year, but which would take a many months-long training program for Ukrainian military operators. This is also as he promised new military aid worth €5 billion (£4.2 billion), upon hosting President Zelensky in Germany on Wednesday.

"Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself, including against military targets outside its own territory," said Merz. While leaving the question of Taurus transfer open, the German leader did promise to bankroll Ukrainian domestic development of long-range missile capability.

"We want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details," Merz affirmed. And BBC added in the wake of the Zelensky-Merz meeting:

Germany's defense ministry said in a statement that Berlin would finance the production of long-range weapons systems in Ukraine and that the "first of these systems could be deployed in the Ukrainian armed forces in just a few weeks".

As expected the reaction from the Kremlin was immediate, given Merz is certainly testing Moscow's red lines: "The Russian Federation will respond 'harshly, asymmetrically, and decisively' if Germany proceeds with supplying Taurus missiles to the Kiev regime," a statement from the State Duma Defense Committee said.

Already over the last several days running Russia's military has struck Kiev, and has long threatened to ramp up attacks on 'command centers' - including places where foreign troops and Western advisers might be located.

Russian state media has been more blunt in reaction to Merz's comments, warning that Moscow could simply directly strike Berlin if German-made missiles begin raining down on Russian cities...

These threats were not made officially, but this is often how the Kremlin indirectly communicates its most dire warnings - either through a mid-level official or something like the outspoken editor-in-chief of RT.

President Trump has said this week that Putin is "playing with fire" with the continual aerial attacks on Kiev and other locations in Ukraine. But Russia has pointed to the literally thousands of drones launched on its territory from Ukraine this month, which have even reached Moscow, disrupting flights at several international airports.

On Wednesday FM Lavrov announced that the next round of peace talks are set for June 2 in Istanbul - but will the warring sides even make it to the negotiating table? The jingoist war of words and threats are ramping up hotter than ever, with the Kremlin warning that further delays (on key conditions like territorial concessions) mean "peace tomorrow will be even more painful".

Update:

A warning from the US at the United Nations in New York on Thursday:

‘Deal on offer now is Russia’s best possible outcome’ – US at UN Security Council

Some of the lines from Acting US Alternate Representative to the UN John Kelley:

"If Russia makes the wrong decision to continue this catastrophic war, the United States will have to consider stepping back from our negotiation efforts to end this conflict. To be clear, in doing so, we would not be “abandoning” our principles or our friends. Rather, we would be recognizing Russia’s refusal to work with us toward a desirable outcome."

"As President Trump has made clear, we want to work with Russia, including on this peace initiative and an economic package. There is no military solution to this conflict. The deal on offer now is Russia’s best possible outcome. President Putin should take the deal."

He also made clear that more sanctions are on the table as an option. "Additional sanctions on Russia are still on the table. President Trump has emphasized from the beginning that this war was a strategic mistake and should never have happened; time is not on the side of any who would prolong it," Kelly said.

Russia has been precisely ramping up its military response of late: “Russian forces have carried out precision strikes on a facility used by Ukrainian special operations forces, the Defense Ministry in Moscow announced Thursday.

‘Command HQs’ are now clearly being targeted in Ukraine, at a moment Germany has said it has lifted all restrictions on long-range weapons for Kiev.