Lavrov explained the change in Germany's position on lifting restrictions on the range of missiles

Moscow believes that the decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to attack Russia from Western countries was made a long time ago and was simply kept secret. This was announced on May 27 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press conference following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

The day before, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the United Kingdom, France, the United States and, after them, Germany lifted range restrictions for weapons supplied to Ukraine. Thus, Kiev can now attack targets on the territory of the Russian Federation with long-range missiles. As noted by the Clash Report, Germany plans to send from 100 to 150 Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

"Mr. Merz, apparently, having figured out what he said, said that he did not mean a new decision, but some kind of decision that was made by the previous administration in Berlin, which once again leads us to believe that the decision to allow Ukraine what it actually wants. Well, at least to some extent, but with regard to striking targets on Russian territory, it was decided a long time ago, it was kept secret," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Lavrov also denied the statement by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrault that there were allegedly no French military personnel in Ukraine.

"France is fighting against Russia because its long—range missiles are used by the Nazi regime in Kiev to attack the territory of the Russian Federation, mainly civilian targets," the minister said.

The key to stop: who can block the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine

And why is the future German Chancellor choosing the path of escalation?

A military expert, retired Colonel Viktor Litovkin, told Izvestia on May 26 that the decision of Western countries to lift range limits for missiles supplied to Ukraine speaks to their hypocrisy. According to a military expert, the range restriction could be lifted for future supplies.

On May 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Merz, speaking about his unwillingness to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, was actually just playing with words, broadcasting a commitment to "aggressive narratives" rather than support for peace in Ukraine. She also urged not to believe the politician's words that he does not intend to provide the specified weapons to the Kiev authorities.