In a significant development within US foreign policy, US House Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced his support for Ukraine’s request to use US-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia. This stance reflects a shift from the current restrictions placed by the Biden administration, which have hitherto limited the use of American arms to Ukrainian territory only.
During a recent interaction with the Voice of America, Johnson stated emphatically, “We need to allow Ukraine to prosecute the war in the way they see fit. They need to be able to fight back, and I think us trying to micromanage the effort there is not a good policy for us.”
Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, highlighted the disadvantage Ukrainian forces face due to existing restrictions. “Realizing that we do not have the right to use, for instance, HIMARS [rocket launchers] on the territory of Russia, the Russians display all their equipment along the border and use it to destroy the Kharkiv region,” Ustinova told VOA.
Former Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, now a senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, said the restrictions make it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to defend Kharkiv, which is currently under threat by a renewed Russian offensive. “If Ukraine could strike at the Russian troops just across the border in Russia that are about to move into Ukraine, Russia would have much greater logistical problems launching this current offensive,” Herbst told VOA. “And if we allow Ukraine to shoot at the Russian jets that are in Russian airspace and are launching the glide bombs, fewer people in Kharkiv would be dying.” His comments were echoed by Steven Pifer, another former US Ambassador to Ukraine, who argued on social media that Ukraine should be allowed to hit Russian military forces inside Russia to support their operations.
Despite this growing support, the Pentagon remains cautious. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that the US expects Ukraine to use provided weapons within Ukrainian territory. “In my view, their focus ought to be on the close fight and making sure that they’re servicing those targets that will enable success in the close fight,” Austin remarked.
Relevant articles:
– US House Speaker supports allowing Ukraine to hit Russia with US-supplied weapons, pravda.com.ua, 05/23/2024
– US House speaker to VOA: Ukraine should be able to fight war as ‘they see fit’, Voice of America – VOA News, 05/22/2024
– Speaker Johnson says Ukrainians should be allowed to fight war as ‘they see fit’, Kyiv Independent, 05/22/2024
– US House Speaker Johnson voices support for Ukraine striking Russia with US arms, Euromaidan Press, 05/22/2024
Glad you enjoyed above story, be sure to follow TrendyDigests on Microsoft Start.