**Germany and France Back Ukraine’s Long-Range Strikes on Russia**
On November 18, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reacted to the United States easing restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes. The US had allowed Ukraine to use its ATACMS missiles to target Russian forces amassing in the Kursk Oblast.
**Baerbock Welcomes US Decision**
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the decision, saying that Ukrainians should be able to destroy launch sites directly, rather than having to wait for rockets to cross the border. She added that her party, the Greens, stands with its Eastern European partners and Western governments in allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia.
**France Open to Using French Missiles**
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recalled that President Emmanuel Macron had expressed a willingness to consider using French missiles to strike at Russian territory back in May. He added that Paris remains open to allowing Ukraine to use French long-range missiles to hit military targets in Russia, following the US decision.
**No Shift in German Policy Yet**
Despite the US easing restrictions on long-range strikes, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not planning to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles. However, this policy may soon shift as Germany heads toward snap elections on February 23, with the center-right opposition alliance CDU/CSU currently leading the polls.
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