With some restrictions. - Reversal in Washington: Ukraine could strike Russia with American arms.
The United States government has apparently given Ukraine permission to use American weapons against Russian targets under certain conditions. This permission only applies to counterattacks to protect the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, as per reports from "Politico" and CNN on Thursday. A US government official told "Politico" that the Ukrainian military should be prepared to strike back at Russian forces that are attacking or planning to attack.
Discussions among NATO countries over Ukraine's weapon use
Currently, NATO countries are discussing whether Ukraine should be allowed to use all the Western weapons provided to attack military targets in Russia. Ukraine has been seeking this authorization for some time, as it aims to more effectively combat Russian positions in the ongoing conflict. So far, the country has mostly relied on its own rockets and drones for this purpose. Western weapons have been used mostly against Russian positions in the occupied regions of Ukraine.
Countries like the United States and Germany have allegedly attached specific conditions to the provision of certain systems. The concern is that the conflict with Russia might escalate further, and NATO could become a party to the war. One of these conditions reportedly involves the Ukrainian military not using Patriot missile defense systems to shoot down Russian aircraft in Russian airspace in order to prevent retaliation in the form of missiles or glide bombs being fired at Ukraine.
International law and the subject action
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a potential shift in the US stance on this issue. While visiting Moldova, he suggested that the United States could be more lenient in allowing Ukrainian strikes against Russian targets. "We have adjusted as needed and will continue to do so," Blinken said in his speech. This statement garnered attention at a NATO ministers' meeting in Prague, as well as in the Kremlin.
International law states that attacked states can retaliate on their own territory to defend themselves. This applies regardless of the origin of the weapons used. As the primary arms supplier to Ukraine, the actions of the United States are of particular importance. While their standard position has been that Ukraine should not use American weapons for offensive attacks against Russian targets, the recent occurrence of an exception is noteworthy.
Although the general stance that Ukraine should not use American weapons for offensive attacks on Russian targets remains intact, Blinken's remarks have piqued interest. The United States has been supplying Ukraine with weapons to liberate their occupied territories, but not for attacking military targets within Russia itself. This shift in tone could potentially pave the way for a change in policy.
Read also:
- The top news today includes the potential for Ukraine to strike Russian targets with American-supplied weapons, following Washington's approval under specific conditions, mainly to defend the eastern city of Kharkiv.
- Despite discussions amongst NATO countries regarding Ukraine's use of all Western weapons against Russian military targets, some countries, like the USA and Germany, have set conditions to prevent further escalation of the conflict, including avoiding the use of Patriot missile defense systems against Russian aircraft.
- Top international figures, such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have hinted at a potential shift in the US stance on allowing Ukrainian strikes against Russian targets, noting that the United States might be more lenient in the future, though the overall position remains that Ukraine should not use American weapons for offensive attacks within Russia.
