Biden clarifies stance on Ukraine using American weapons against Moscow
US President Joe Biden (Phoro: Getty Images)
President Joe Biden remains firm that American weapons should not be used to strike Moscow or the Kremlin, even after he authorized their use in Russia by Ukraine, according to ABC News.
No strikes on Moscow or the Kremlin
When asked whether American-made weapons had been used in Russia since he allowed their use, limiting their application to areas near the Kharkiv region, President Biden did not give a direct answer but made it clear that strikes on Moscow or the Kremlin would not be permitted.
"They're authorized to be used in proximity to the border when they're being used on the other side of the border to attack specific targets in Ukraine. We're not authorizing strikes 200 miles into Russia, and we're not authorizing strikes on Moscow, on the Kremlin," Biden stated.
Response to Putin's claims
The American leader also responded to claims by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin that supplying weapons to strike Russia amounts to "direct participation in this war."
"I've known him for over 40 years. He's concerned me for 40 years. He's not a decent man. He's a dictator, and he's struggling to make sure he holds his country together while still keeping this assault going. We're not talking about giving them weapons to strike Moscow, to strike the Kremlin, to strike against -- just across the border, where they're receiving significant fire from conventional weapons used by the Russians to go into Ukraine to kill Ukrainians," Biden said.
Strikes on Russia
Following the escalation of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine urged its partners to allow strikes on Russian territory with the weapons they provided. Some partners approved this request.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden authorized the Ukrainian Defense Forces to strike military targets in Russia. However, this permission does not extend to ATACMS ballistic missiles.
After this authorization, Russia threatened the United States with "fatal consequences."