Stoltenberg: Ukraine must be able to strike deep into Russian territory

2024-06-15 18:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States and NATO have different positions regarding Ukraine's use of Western weapons to strike military targets inside Russian territory. As Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb reports, Washington recently gave Kiev permission to use American weapons to strike military ground targets inside Russia, but with strict geographic restrictions.

As allies and partner countries debate Ukraine's use of Western weapons, the NATO chief says Ukrainian forces have the right to strike military targets inside Russia.

"If they are not going to be able to do that, then we are asking them to exercise the right of self-defense with one hand tied behind their back," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Mr Stoltenberg welcomed recent decisions by some alliance member states to ease restrictions on the use of some Western weapons to strike targets inside Russia, mainly after Moscow began attacking Kharkiv from inside Russian territory.

Recently, Washington gave Kiev permission to use US weapons to strike military ground targets inside Russia, but with strict geographic restrictions

Asked by VOA whether Kiev could use US weapons to strike military targets attacking Ukraine from deep inside Russian territory, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: "No."

"Our policy regarding the use of long-range strike capabilities to conduct strikes deep into Russia has not changed. But the ability to counter-act in the war in Kharkiv, which is what it is about, I hope that the Ukrainians will make the best use of these capabilities," said the US defense chief.

Retired American General Frank McKenzie, former head of the United States Central Command, tells VOA that this is not enough.

"Yes, but with some limitations. Great care must be taken not to attack Russian nuclear facilities, nuclear command and control facilities. Barring that, we should give Ukraine greater options regarding attacks inside Russia. They should not feel safe. Russian command, logistics and other military formations are not at risk at all, which has significantly damaged Ukrainian capabilities to react to the latest offensive," he says.

Supplying Ukraine with US F-16 fighter jets will provide Kiev with greater defense capabilities against Russian bombs. The United States says that the planes will arrive in Ukraine this summer./ VOA