With just one decision, NATO could give Ukraine a huge advantage in the war against Russia, but is instead giving a gift to Vladimir Putin for fear of escalation, writes The Telegraph.
It is about the ban on attacking targets on Russian territory. The US, Britain and France have provided Kiev with precision missiles with a range that allows them to attack military targets deep inside Russian territory. However, Kiev has a ban on using them there. Why?
NATO fears that this could lead to an escalation of the conflict. This restriction is an error. Limiting the use of Western weapons puts Ukraine in a difficult position, as missiles hitting Ukrainian cities are often fired over Russian territory.
This is pushing Kiev to use more unconventional means such as drones and sabotage. Ukraine also uses old and less accurate Soviet missiles. And drones move more slowly than Western missiles and bombs, which could make them more vulnerable to Russian air defenses. And when debris from intercepted drones falls on Russian cities, it fuels Putin's propaganda machine. Clearly, more accurate Western weaponry would reduce collateral damage in Russia and reduce civilian casualties.
Western weapons proved effective and inflicted huge damage on the Russians, for example in the occupied Crimea and in the Black Sea. Restrictions on the use of Western weapons on Russian territory are a gift of particular value to Moscow.
The reason is that Russia has far more aircraft than hangars. This leaves valuable military aircraft and helicopters out in the open. The Kremlin knows that many of its planes are vulnerable. Western officials worry that their weapons used on Russian soil will lead to an escalation – even Armageddon.
Ukraine is fighting an existential war, and a victory for Kiev against an increasingly dangerous Putin is critical to the security of Europe, NATO and the United States. Putin has made it clear that he is not interested in negotiations. But Western aid to Kiev is always late and comes in insufficient quantities. It is time to lift the ban on attacks on Russian territory.