Blinken: Ukraine Can Defend Against Threats on “Russian Border” with US Weapons
U.S. Secretary of State announces a change in the Biden administration’s policy toward the Ukrainian use of U.S.-donated weapons.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated on Friday that President Joe Biden’s administration has increased its support for Ukrainian military operations to address threats inside Russia’s borders with limited details on the rules of engagement adjustments.
Over the course of the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian and Russian forces, NATO countries, including the Biden administration, have gradually supplied the Ukrainian side with more advanced and longer-range weapons systems. They have carefully navigated the balance of supporting Ukraine without provoking a full-scale conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
Until recently, there has been a general prohibition on Ukrainian forces using donated weapons to strike into Russia’s recognized territory. However, the stance has started to evolve following a new Russian offensive near the Ukrainian border of Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging NATO allies to relax the rules of engagement to allow strikes inside Russia, and some Western alliance leaders have started to concede.
During a press conference in the Czech Republic on Friday, Mr. Blinken was asked about the Biden administration’s stance on Ukrainian forces attacking targets within Russia using U.S.-donated weapons. While hinting at a shift in policy that allows Ukrainian forces to retaliate against Russian forces gathering on the border, Mr. Blinken stopped short of providing specific details.
Without outlining precise guidelines on when and how Ukrainian forces can use U.S.-donated weapons against Russian forces, Mr. Blinken confirmed that the Biden administration’s policy regarding the use of U.S.-donated weapons by Ukraine has been revised.
“Ukraine recently requested our authorization to use the weapons we provide in defense against this aggression, including against Russian forces massing on the Russian side of the border and launching attacks into Ukraine,” Mr. Blinken informed reporters. “This request was approved by the president, allowing the use of our weapons for this purpose.”
NTD News has been seeking clarification from various Biden administration components on their stance towards Ukraine’s use of U.S.-donated weapons to target Russian territory.
In a recent email response, the U.S. State Department informed NTD News that “the President instructed his team to enable Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counter-fire operations in the Kharkiv region to respond to Russian attacks or preparations for attacks.”
The State Department also mentioned that the policy prohibiting Ukrainian forces from utilizing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and other long-range strikes within Russia remains unchanged.
How Other Nations See Strikes on Russia
While the Biden administration is adjusting its approach, NATO leaders have expressed varying opinions on Ukraine’s strikes inside Russia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted Ukraine’s right to self-defense, including the right to target legitimate military sites within Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron also supported strikes on missile launch sites in Russia firing into Ukraine but opposed broader targets within Russian borders.
Last weekend, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated that Ukraine has the right to defend itself with targeted combat actions as long as they adhere to the laws of war.
However, Italy’s leaders have been more cautious, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urging prudence and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warning against the implications of such attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his concerns during a press conference in Uzbekistan, cautioning NATO nations about the consequences of strikes deep into Russian territory.
