Putin: Using German weapons from Ukraine against Russia would be a dangerous “step”

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, warned Germany on Wednesday that using German weapons from Ukraine to conduct attacks within Russia would mark dangerous “steps” and destroy relations between Berlin and Moscow.

Later, Germany joined the United States to grant Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons that supply them to carry out attacks on several targets within Russia.

Putin said Ukraine's supply of German tanks shocked many people in Russia.

“Now, if they use missiles for attacks on objects on Russian territory, Russia-German relations will be completely destroyed”, Putin said.

Germany has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia began its invasion in February 2022, but until recently, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government had been reluctant to grant her permission to conduct attacks within Russia's territory.

In recent months, Russia has carried out sustained air and land attacks against Ukraine, which is facing a lack of ammunition.

Kiev had asked Allies to speed up the shipment of ammunition, as well as requested that it be allowed to use long-range weapons since it was limited to its use within Russia's territory.

On 31 May, a German Government spokesman, confirming that Ukraine is allowed to use German weapons limited to attacks within Russia, said: “We are convinced Ukraine is right, by international law, to defend itself against these <x1) attacks.

To do that, she can use the weapons she supplies to this end, in line with international legal obligations, including the weapons we supply to”, he added. /rel