Just hours after Ukraine’s military chief warned of a significant build-up of Russian troops along the Kharkiv border, reports have emerged that the U.S. has granted Ukraine limited permission to use American-supplied weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.
This development marks a notable shift in U.S. policy and comes amid increasing pressure from NATO allies for a more robust response to Russia’s aggression, according to CBC News.
Shift in US Policy
Various media outlets, including Reuters, have reported that the U.S. decision, which has not been officially announced, allows Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes against Russian forces attacking or preparing to attack in the Kharkiv region.
An anonymous U.S. official stated, “The President recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them.”
NATO Allies Support Broader Strikes
The new policy permits strikes on Russian military targets just across the border near Kharkiv. This decision aligns with recent calls from several NATO members, including the U.K., France, Denmark, and Canada, who have voiced support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself by hitting targets within Russia using Western-supplied weapons.
Ukraine’s Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi has highlighted the urgent need for such measures, noting that Russia is sending additional regiments and brigades to the Kharkiv border.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary general, stated on Thursday, “The time has come to consider some of these restrictions to enable the Ukrainians to really defend themselves,” ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague.
Germany’s Stance on Defensive Strikes
Germany has also indicated a shift in its stance, suggesting that Ukraine could use Berlin-supplied weapons to defend against attacks launched from within Russia.
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A German government spokesperson remarked, “We are jointly convinced that Ukraine has the right, guaranteed under international law, to defend itself against these attacks. To do so, it can also use the weapons supplied for this purpose in accordance with its international legal obligations, including those supplied by us.”
Evolution of US Support
Previously, Washington’s official position prohibited U.S.-supplied equipment from being used to attack Russian sites. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signalled a policy change on Wednesday, noting that U.S. support would continue to be “adapted and adjusted” based on battlefield conditions.
In recent months, Ukraine has increased its attacks inside Russia, targeting military sites and energy infrastructure with drones. However, Ukrainian officials have been pressing for the ability to use Western-supplied weapons more freely, especially after Russian forces broke through Ukraine’s defences on May 10, capturing around a dozen small settlements in the Kharkiv region.
Concerns Over Escalation
Despite the growing support, there are significant fears of escalation. Even before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, NATO members debated how to provide Kyiv with military aid without further inflaming tensions with Russia or triggering a wider global conflict, potentially involving nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov have both warned of serious repercussions if the West engages in what they term a “new round of escalation.”
Putin recently cautioned that Europe, particularly its smaller nations, should be “aware of what they are playing with.”
Evolving Military Aid
Washington’s position has evolved significantly throughout the war. Initially hesitant to provide certain advanced weapons systems, such as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of 300 kilometres, the U.S. has now supplied them to Ukraine. Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach: “We have to get over this. We have to say no systems are off-limits, no use of weapons is off-limits, as long as it conforms to international law.”
As Ukraine continues to defend itself against escalating Russian aggression, the shift in U.S. policy and the growing support from NATO allies signal a significant moment in the conflict. The international community remains watchful of the potential implications, balancing the urgent need to support Ukraine with the risks of broader conflict escalation.
