Strikes on Russian territory: US and European officials urge White House to lift all restrictions

Illustrative image (Getty Images)

Many officials in the United States and abroad insist that the White House lift all restrictions on the use of American weapons by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Russian territory, according to Defense News.

According to the agency, not long before the June meeting in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking to journalists, expressed support for allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with Western weapons. He emphasized two points:

・Kharkiv's proximity to the border and front line makes it difficult for Ukraine to defend itself;

・avoiding escalation should not be a burden for Ukraine.

“Ukraine has the right to strike military targets on Russian territory — part of the right to self-defense — and we have the right to support them in defending themselves,” he said.

Members of Congress, including leading Democrats, called on the Biden administration to loosen the restrictions. Many European partners also joined them.

“Russia is organizing the attacks from Russian territory, and we put restrictions on Ukraine. It’s nonsense,” Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas said in an interview with Defense News.

Strikes on Russian territory

From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the West actively supported Ukraine with weapons. However, the condition was that the Defense Forces should not use their partners' weapons against Russian territory.

After the enemy's offensive in the Kharkiv region began, and the shelling of frontline regions intensified, more and more allies began to reconsider their position.

Only at the end of May, after several NATO countries supported the authorization of strikes on the Russian territory, the White House also gave Ukraine the green light, but with certain restrictions. The United States does not yet authorize deep strikes on Russia, but Ukraine can attack Russian troops, positions, and launchers along its border.