Brussels: France and Germany have expressed support for Ukraine’s right to use Western-supplied weaponry against targets inside Russia that are launching attacks on Ukraine.
During a media briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday, May 28, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that French weapons provided to Ukraine, including long-range missiles, are permitted to strike targets within Russia. “Since Ukrainian soil is being attacked from bases in Russia, how can we explain to the Ukrainians that we need to protect these towns and everything we’re seeing around Kharkiv currently,” Macron stated.
He further elaborated, “We believe that we should allow them to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired and, basically, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked.” However, Macron stressed that “we must not allow them to strike other targets in Russia,” particularly civilian or additional military sites.
Supporting Macron’s stance, Chancellor Scholz remarked that Ukraine is entitled to defend itself under the conditions set by the supplying countries, including the United States, and within the framework of international law. “Ukraine has every possibility under international law for what it is doing. That has to be said clearly,” Scholz said. “I find it odd when some people disagree that it should not be allowed to defend itself and take measures that are suitable for this.”
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Western allies have traditionally adhered to a policy that weapons supplied to Ukraine should be used exclusively within Ukrainian territory. The possibility of using these weapons to strike inside Russia is contentious, as it raises concerns among Western leaders about escalating violence and potentially involving NATO in a wider conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly requested permission from his allies to use provided weapons against targets inside Russia. While the United States, Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, has previously restricted Kyiv from using its weapons on Russian soil to avoid escalation, recent comments from U.S. officials suggest a potential shift in policy.
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On Wednesday, May 29, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a possible policy adjustment, saying the U.S. would continue to “adapt and adjust” its support for Ukraine. “Another seal of our support for Ukraine over the last two years has been to adapt as the conditions have changed. Battlefields change. As what Russia does has changed in terms of how it is pursuing its aggression escalation, we’ve adapted and adjusted too. And I am confident we will continue to do that,” Blinken said.
“We have neither encouraged nor enabled strikes beyond Ukraine’s borders. As I have previously stated, Ukraine must independently determine the most effective strategies for its defense. Our commitment is to ensure that Ukraine possesses the necessary equipment to achieve this objective,” Blinken asserted. When asked about his remarks on adjusting and adapting, he added, “We’re always listening. We’re always learning to make sure that Ukraine can effectively continue to defend itself.”
