US allows Ukraine to use air defense to destroy aircraft and missiles over Russia - WP

Photo: Ukraine can shoot down US air defenses over Russia (Getty Images)

The United States does not place restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied air defense systems to eliminate Russian missiles or fighter jets over Russian territory if they pose a threat to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

The agency cites a statement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a press conference in Chisinau, who said that the United States “not encouraged or enabled strikes outside of Ukraine, but Ukraine, as I’ve said before, has to make its own decisions about the best way to effectively defend itself.”

Blinken adds that the United States has adapted and adjusted to the changing conditions on the battlefield and that as Russia uses new tactics of aggression and escalation, he assured that Washington will continue to do so.

According to the newspaper, about three weeks ago, shortly after Russia launched its offensive on Kharkiv, Ukraine asked the United States to ease longstanding restrictions on the use of US-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

Some senior officials support such a move, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who urged President Biden to agree to lift the restrictions. According to the agency, the White House is considering such a proposal, but no action has been taken yet.

Washington is facing pressure from NATO and several key European allies to allow Ukraine to use the full force and range of US-provided weapons.

In May, the discussion about the prohibition of Western countries to use weapons supplied to Ukraine on the territory of Russia intensified. About ten countries have authorized strikes, while the United States and Germany have refrained from making official statements.