The United States has authorized Ukraine to use American weapons to strike any Russian forces that attack Ukraine – not just those in the region near Kharkiv.
This was stated by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to PBS News, Suspilne reports.
The presidential adviser said that the agreement with Ukraine on firing American weapons at Russia applies to “wherever Russian forces cross the Ukrainian-Russian border to try to seize additional Ukrainian territory.” However, he added that this should only be near the border, as the US policy of prohibiting strikes with US long-range weapons deep into Russia remained unchanged.
It’s not about geography. It’s about common sense. If Russia is attacking or is going to attack Ukraine from its territory, it only makes sense to allow Ukraine to fight back against the forces that are attacking it from abroad, – Sullivan said.
Earlier, the White House officially confirmed the authorization for the Defense Forces to use American weapons on Russian territory near Kharkiv region. In recent days, Russia has claimed that it may soon move on to the city of Sumy, which is also near the Russian border.
If that happens, the policy will be applied there as well, – Sullivan said.
Since the authorization was granted, Ukrainian troops have used American weapons to strike Russia at least once in the Belgorod region, Politiko reports.
Ukrainian and other European officials are known to have pressured the United States to further ease its restrictions, allowing Ukraine to strike anywhere inside Russia.
