US allows Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian territory, with caveats and restrictions
The press service of President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that the Joe Biden administration has relaxed its longstanding policy of prohibiting Ukraine from using American weapons against targets within Russia. However, some limitations still remain in place.
Serhiy Nikiforov, Zelensky's press secretary, made this statement in a comment for The Guardian.
"This will significantly strengthen our ability to resist Russia's attempts to penetrate the border en masse," Nikiforov emphasized.
American weapons can be struck only in areas bordering the Kharkiv region.
The White House insists that its policy of banning strikes deeper into Russian territory has not changed. Ukraine will still not be able to use ATACMS missiles to attack objects in Russian regions that do not border the Kharkiv region.
In an interview with the Guardian, Zelensky himself added that he also wants permission to use British Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory. According to him, despite claims to the contrary, London did not give "100% permission" for this. Ukraine's president suggested that perhaps Great Britain was waiting for the USA's decision.
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It should be noted that after the start of a new offensive by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, some European countries started a campaign to ease restrictions on the use of weapons transferred to Ukraine.
In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also emphasized that Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets would not make NATO part of the conflict. The head of the Alliance has redoubled efforts to urge allies to lift restrictions on hitting targets in Russia.
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 May 28, the Prime Minister of Belgium explained during a press conference that the 30 F-16 fighter jets that Belgium has pledged to hand over to Ukraine can only be used on Ukrainian territory. The same applies to other weapons provided for in the security agreement.
Which countries supported Kyiv regarding the use of Western weapons on the territory of Russia:
- Sweden allowed Ukraine to use its weapons to attack the Russian Federation.
- Poland supported Ukraine's right to use Western weapons to attack Russia.
- The Czech Republic supported using partners' weapons for defense in the aggressor's territory.
- The Netherlands supported strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation with Western weapons.
- Ukraine can attack the territory of the Russian Federation with the help of weapons provided by Finland.
- Moreover, permission to use the transferred weapons for attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation was supported by the Baltic states.
