U.S. and Ukraine discuss authorization to use U.S. long-range weapons to strike at Russian territory
Kyiv • UNN
The US is discussing with Ukraine the possibility of using long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, including airfields used to attack Ukrainian cities, while tailoring military assistance to Ukraine's operational needs.
The United States is talking with Ukraine about allowing the use of long-range weapons to strike at the territory deep in Russia. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith told the Voice of America, UNN reports .
We will continue to adjust and adapt our security assistance and guidance based on the operational and strategic needs of our partners in Ukraine
As reported by Voice of America, the US State Department played an important role in the decision to allow Ukraine to use US weapons to strike across the Russian border. But with the Russians continuing to use their airfields further from the border to launch air strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the US government to lift all existing restrictions on long-range weapons.
Voice of America asked a representative of the U.S. State Department whether Washington is considering this appeal.
We condemn Russia's attacks on civilians in the strongest possible terms. That's part of the reason why our Secretary of State issued a statement that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. And we will do everything in our power to help Ukraine counter these threats either in the air or to strike them where they occur. In a sense, this is consistent with our policy
He also said that the U.S. is "working carefully and closely with Ukrainian counterparts to adapt and customize security assistance and the guidance we provide with that assistance to address these threats.
These discussions are ongoing. I don't want to telegraph any of our strikes to the Russians, but we are working carefully with Ukraine on this critical issue and will continue to work closely together
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells the Voice of America that Ukraine expects restrictions on the Ukrainian army to be lifted.
Asked whether he thought restrictions on the Ukrainian army would be lifted, Zelenskyy replied: "We are counting on it.
