During the third Ukraine-Europe summit, Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision by Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to target locations on Russian soil near Kharkiv under specific circumstances. Biden reiterated that the US still prohibits deep strikes inside Russia but allows the use of long-range missiles like ATACMS supplied to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested a change in the US position regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil, stating that they will continue to adapt and adjust to the changing battlefield and Russian aggression. Despite Russian threats of consequences, Western allies like France and NATO support Ukraine’s right to retaliate against military sites in Russian territory.
Kyiv claims to only target military sites used by Russian forces to bomb Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in Kharkiv, where daily bombings are a common occurrence. The situation has escalated since May when Russian troops launched an offensive in the region. Russia warns of serious consequences for Ukrainian attacks on its soil, while Kyiv downplays the significance of these threats.
Various leaders have called for the lifting of restrictions on arms deliveries to Ukraine, including Emmanuel Macron and Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg brushed aside Russian threats of escalation, stating that NATO allies support Ukraine and deliver weapons without restrictions. He emphasized that Western countries have already supplied weapons without limitations on their use, indicating a shift in their approach towards supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
