Washington confirms allowing Ukraine to use US weapons to attack Russian soil

Speaking at a press conference in the Czech Republic's capital Prague on May 31, Secretary of State Blinken said that President Biden allowed Ukraine to use US weapons to destroy targets in Russia that were attacking the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a press conference after the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Prague on May 31.

According to Reuters, Mr. Blinken did not clarify whether President Biden agreed to let Ukraine attack targets in other Russian cities or locations deep inside Russian territory.

Secretary of State Blinken explained the White House's move as a result of strategic adjustments and adaptation to the battlefield situation, responding to what the US had witnessed in and around the Kharkiv region.

President Biden 'quietly' gives Ukraine the green light to use US weapons to attack Russian soil

"Over the last several weeks, Ukraine has asked us to authorize the use of the weapons that we are providing to defend against this attack, including against Russian forces that are massing across the border and attacking Ukraine. That has been reported directly to the president, and as you have heard, he has authorized the use of our weapons for that purpose," Mr. Blinken said after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

This is the second time this year that President Biden has quietly eased restrictions on Ukraine on weapons. The first time was when he decided to provide long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine after a period of refusal. The missiles have a range of up to 300 km. US officials said on May 30 that the US has not changed its position on prohibiting Ukraine from using ATACMS and other long-range weapons to attack targets deep inside Russian territory.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine was only allowed to use Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and artillery for the purpose of defending Kharkiv.

Allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons for strikes inside Russia has raised mixed opinions among Kyiv’s allies and partners. Britain, France, Poland and Germany have all agreed while Italy has opposed the idea.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/washington-xac-nhan-cho-phep-ukraine-dung-vu-khi-my-tan-cong-dat-nga-185240531213155595.htm