Stockholm, May 31, 2024. TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg/via REUTERS
On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that it is only a matter of time before Ukraine uses Western-supplied weapons to strike targets within Russian territory. Outnumbered and outgunned on the battlefield, Kyiv has been intensifying its appeals to Western allies for authorization to conduct offensive operations against military targets inside Russia to counter Russian advances more effectively.
“I believe that using any Western weapon on Russian territory is only a question of time. Otherwise, it is not just about achieving peace,” Zelenskiy told reporters during a visit to Stockholm. Ukraine has emphasized the necessity of utilizing Western-supplied arms to strike within Russia as it defends against Russian incursions in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
This spring, Ukraine has been struggling in the 27-month-old full-scale invasion, facing delays in receiving military aid from the United States, increased attacks on its energy infrastructure, and Russian efforts to expand the frontline. U.S. President Joe Biden has discreetly authorized Kyiv to strike military targets within Russia that support the offensive in the Kharkiv region.
Zelenskiy noted that Ukraine received a message from the United States early on Friday, which he described as a “step forward” in defending the residents of villages near the border with Russia. He did not provide further details regarding the communication with the U.S. He also mentioned uncertainty regarding potential restrictions on the use of long-awaited F-16 fighter jets but argued that fairness dictates Ukraine should be able to retaliate against Russian strikes.
Germany, another key ally, has indicated its willingness to allow Ukraine to use its weapons to target military sites involved in the attacks on the Kharkiv region. Similarly, France has expressed that Ukraine should be permitted to strike military locations that Russia is using to launch attacks on Ukrainian territory.
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