French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine should be allowed to strike military bases on Russian territory from which Moscow carries out missile attacks against Ukraine. Macron emphasized the need for Ukraine to defend itself against such attacks, but also stressed the importance of not targeting civilian facilities. The issue of allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets inside Russia has divided European leaders, with the U.S. and German officials expressing reluctance to support such actions. However, there is a growing shift in opinion that lifting the ban on Ukrainian attacks could have helped prevent Russia’s invasion of Kharkiv Oblast in early May.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the U.S. soon, during which a new military aid package of $325 million is expected to be announced. The aid package is reported to exclude the ATACMS long-range missiles that Ukraine has been requesting, which are seen as crucial in turning the tide against Russia’s ongoing aggression. Zelensky has previously stated that Ukraine will not use foreign-supplied weapons to target locations outside its borders, but Ukrainian officials have been pressuring Western partners to allow the country to use Western weapons to strike military targets in Russia.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly have called for an end to the ban on Ukraine using Western-supplied weapons against military targets inside Russia. This push has gained support from Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who stated that Ukraine has every right to use all means of defense as a country under attack. The issue of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression has become a focal point, with Zelensky highlighting the knowledge of Russian troop concentrations and missile launch areas in Ukraine.
There is a lack of political will among Western leaders to ensure Ukraine’s victory against Russian forces, according to Oleg Sukhov. The restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to hit targets inside Russia have hindered Ukraine’s ability to defend itself effectively. The debate over whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike military bases on Russian territory from which missile attacks are launched against Ukraine continues to be a divisive issue among European leaders. Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine will not use weapons supplied by foreign partners to target locations outside the country, but pressure is mounting on Western allies to lift restrictions on Ukrainian attacks.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing Russian aggression and the need for Ukraine to defend itself against missile attacks from Russian military bases. The debate over whether Ukraine should be allowed to use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets inside Russia highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of supporting and protecting Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces. The upcoming visit of Zelensky to the U.S. and the announcement of a new military aid package underscore the importance of international support for Ukraine in its ongoing battle for sovereignty and security.
