Ukraine demands US authorization for American-made weapon use in Russian territory – Ambassador to US Markarova

Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, said that Ukraine is now in dire need of as many weapons as possible and should get them as soon as possible. The diplomat also noted that Ukraine defends itself "regardless of whether we attack Russian troops on our territory or Russian troops outside our territory."

Politico reports this.

"There is no such thing as fast enough when we are facing such an evil enemy, and we have to make up for the long pause," Markarova said on CBS.

She added that it should happen "sooner."

The ambassador, who recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, said the country needs more air defense systems to respond to increased attacks on Ukrainian communities.

"We're very grateful to those who are providing us with their systems. We're grateful to the US for looking for them, allowing them, funding some of them, but we need more and it's time to literally take some brave decisions and provide us with more of this so we can see them right away, where we need them," Markarova said.

She also emphasized that Ukraine insists on permission to strike targets on Russian territory with American-made weapons.

"We are defending ourselves. Whether we are striking Russian troops on our territory or Russian troops outside of our territory. And we have been trying to do that. But of course, there were some restrictions. Now, I will not go publicly into discussions — where we are in discussions with either the US or any of our other partners. But I just want to say that it's clear that Russia is an aggressor here," the diplomat said.

For reference:

It should be noted that from the very beginning of the full-scale war, the USA has prohibited Ukraine from targeting the territory of the Russian Federation with American weapons.

Recently, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published a conclusion that if it were not for this ban, the new offensive of the Russian Federation in the north of the Kharkiv region would not have been so successful. According to analysts, US restrictions on Ukraine's ability to strike military targets in Russia have created shelters in the border areas of the Russian Federation, from where Russian aircraft can launch planned bomb and missile strikes on Ukrainian positions and populated areas.

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the possibility of using Western weapons on the territory of Russia is not an offensive but the protection of Ukrainians.

The US Helsinki Commission also stated that the United States of America should allow Ukraine to strike with American weapons against the forces of the Russian Armed Forces in the border areas of Russia.

However, the Pentagon said that American weapons are intended for use on the territory of Ukraine.

On Saturday, May 18, The Wall Street Journal wrote that Ukraine appealed to the administration of US President Joe Biden with a request to lift the restrictions. Sources told reporters that the request, which was made last week, is currently under review.