US President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine's use of US weapons to strike targets in Russia, from where attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv have been carried out, after Kiev sought permission from Washington in recent weeks to do so, the State Department confirmed today US Secretary Anthony Blinken, quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
At a press conference in Prague after an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Blinken did not specify whether Biden's authorization could be expanded to include other Russian cities and targets deeper inside Russia.
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He pointed out that Washington's step, which is a significant change in the policy of Biden, who has steadfastly refused to allow Ukraine to use American weapons to strike on Russian territory, is the result of the US strategy of adjusting and adapting to combat field.
The US is now reacting to what it has seen in and around Kharkiv Oblast, Blinken explained.
”Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has come to us and asked for permission to use the weapons we provide to defend itself against this aggression, including against Russian forces massing on the Russian side of the border and then attacking inside Ukraine.&ldquo ;, said the Secretary of State. “And that reached the president, and as you heard, he approved the use of our weapons for that purpose. Going forward, we will continue to do what we have been doing, which is to adapt and adjust as necessary," he added.
Kharkov, Ukraine's second largest city, is located 19 miles (30 km) from the border with Russia.
This is the second time this year that Biden has quietly softened his policy on arms shipments to Ukraine. Earlier this year, he responded to calls to send Kiev long-range missiles, known as “ATAKMS” (ATACMS).
The US is the largest arms supplier to Ukraine in its fight against a full-scale Russian invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
US officials said yesterday that Washington's policy of banning the Ukrainian military from using ATAKMS missiles, with a range of up to 300 km, and other long-range US weapons remains in place for strikes deep inside Russia.