Pressure is mounting on US President Joe Biden to permit Ukraine to use weapons supplied by Western nations to target Russian territory.
Several US allies have signalled openness to this idea, marking a shift after months of concern about escalating the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of “serious consequences,” particularly for what he described as “small countries” in Europe. Despite this, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday in Prague that Washington’s position would “adapt and adjust” based on changing battlefield conditions.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby clarified later that while US support for Kyiv had evolved, there was currently no change to their policy. Ukraine has been grappling with a Russian offensive in the east, with Kharkiv enduring weeks of deadly attacks often launched from military outposts near the Ukrainian border.
Read Also:
Blinken’s comments followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier statement advocating for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons against military sites in Russia, though not against civilians.
Macron has long pushed for more direct intervention in the Ukraine conflict, a sentiment echoed by other Western leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been more cautious publicly, but a Berlin spokesman noted that defensive action includes targeting the aggressor’s territory.
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg also expressed support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself by striking Russian military bases.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron emphasized that it was Ukraine’s decision how to use British weapons, while the Polish Deputy Defence Minister stated that Ukrainians could use Polish weapons as they deemed necessary.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously criticized Western countries for imposing limits on the use of their weapons, noting Ukraine’s need to defend itself while avoiding alienating its partners.
