A military expert assessed the West's lifting of restrictions on the range of missiles for Ukraine

The decision of Western countries to lift range restrictions for missiles supplied to Ukraine speaks to their hypocrisy. This was stated to Izvestia on May 26 by a military expert, retired Colonel Viktor Litovkin.

On this day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States had lifted range restrictions on military supplies to Ukraine.,

According to a military expert, the range restriction could be lifted for future supplies.

"So far in Ukraine, Storm Shadow and Scud are missiles that fly at 300 km. HIMARS flies at 160 km. But HIMARS can have missiles at 300 km and 450 km. And Merz can supply Taurus missiles that fly 500 km. This is a manifestation of Western hypocrisy and Pharisaism. On the one hand, they demand that Russia cease hostilities, and on the other hand, they threaten to supply Ukraine with long—range missiles," Litovkin stressed.

He also noted that the Russian Federation's response to the supply of relevant weapons may be to destroy them in the places where they will be supplied.

In addition, the military expert ruled out the impact of lifting restrictions on the situation on the battlefield.

Alexander Konkov, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, recalled in an interview with Izvestia that the transfer of Taurus long—range missiles to Ukraine was one of the election slogans of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It is no coincidence that he is the source of information, the political scientist added.

"Today it is rather a step by Europe that requires a more respectful attitude towards itself in terms of resolving the Ukrainian crisis," he said.

Background window: how is the Ukrainian settlement process progressing

Switzerland intends to host the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, a large-scale prisoner exchange has ended, and the Russian Armed Forces, in response to drone attacks, delivered a powerful blow to the enemy's military-industrial complex facilities.

German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl said on May 12 that Germany was ready to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine if Moscow and Kiev did not reach a ceasefire agreement. According to Vadefuhl, Germany has always clearly shown its readiness for further arms supplies to the Ukrainian side.

On the same day, the Euractiv portal announced that the German government would no longer openly comment on the possible transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed on May 6 that continued arms supplies to Ukraine were delaying prospects for a settlement of the conflict. Such actions, on the contrary, lead to escalation.