The United States has given Ukraine permission to attack Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons, but only near Kharkiv, Serhiy Nikiforov, spokesman for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed to the Kyiv Independent on May 31.
Citing an unnamed U.S. official, Politico reported On May 30, President Joe Biden's administration authorized Kiev to strike targets inside Russia, but “only near the Kharkiv region,” a report that was later confirmed by other media outlets. ABC News And that Associated Press (Associated Press).
Nikiforov previously welcomed the move in an interview. ParentsIt was released on May 31st.
“This will significantly strengthen our ability to counter any Russian attempts to mass across the border,” Nikiforov told the Guardian in response to a question about US authorization for attacks on Russian territory.
According to the Guardian, the Biden administration's decision allows Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to attack Russian troops, command posts and control centers.
In contrast, the Pentagon said on May 30:no change“It did not specifically mention the attack near Kharkiv Oblast, but revised its policy on the use of U.S. military weapons.”
Washington still bans Ukraine from using long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory.
The media outlet said Zelensky wanted to use long-range weapons such as British-made Storm Shadow missiles, but that Britain had not given it “100 percent permission.”
The Ukrainian president has suggested the UK is waiting for a decision from the White House, but the recent US changes are unlikely to change Britain's position, The Guardian reports.
“We have raised the issue twice. We have not received any confirmation from him (Foreign Secretary David Cameron),” Zelenskyy said, adding that the final decision of Britain and other countries would depend on an “agreement” that includes key US positions.
Ukraine has asked its allies to lift the Western arms embargo against attacks on targets inside Russia. Will it be lifted?
Ukraine is stepping up pressure on its allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons against military targets inside Russia after Russia launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv region, months after Kiev pledged not to use Western-made weapons.
