In a discussion about Ukraine’s use of Western weapons against military targets in Russia, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has hinted at flexibility. Since the start of the war, the U.S. government has adjusted its support for Ukraine to fit changing conditions, Blinken said during a visit to Moldova. “I’m sure we’ll continue to do that.”
At a press conference with Moldovan President Mia Sandu in the capital Chisinau, Blinken was asked by a journalist if he could persuade US President Joe Biden to lift existing restrictions. Blinken responded that the U.S. government did not facilitate or encourage attacks by U.S. weapons on targets outside of Ukraine. Ukraine must decide for itself how to defend itself. “We’ll make sure she gets the equipment she needs.”
The US government had earlier reiterated its previous position. “There has been no change in our policy: We do not encourage or enable the use of American weapons on Russian soil,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby said yesterday.
At the same time, Kirby made it clear that the United States has already adjusted its support for the country attacked by Russia in line with changing battlefield conditions and Ukraine’s needs. He said this will continue in the future as well. There is currently no change.
Recently there have been calls in the West to allow this. French President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear that he wants to allow Ukraine to attack military positions on Russian territory with Western weapons. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also pushed for the removal of existing restrictions.
A few days ago the New York Times reported that U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was pushing domestically to allow Ukraine to attack Russian territory with U.S. weapons. He is said to want to persuade President Joe Biden to lift the restrictions. At the time, the Foreign Ministry did not want to deny or confirm the report, but rather referred to the well-known US position.
