Ukrainian Officials Implore Biden to Lift Ban on Striking Russia with US Weapons

Ukrainian officials are intensifying their efforts to convince the Biden administration to lift restrictions on striking Russia with US weapons. This request arises as Ukrainian forces express frustration over their inability to counter Russian movements near the border.

Parliamentary figures, including David Arakhamia and Oleksandra Ustinova, are currently in Washington seeking support for this initiative, as reported by Politico.

David Arakhamia and Oleksandra Ustinova in Washington seeking permit to strike inside Russia with US weapons

Ustinova, who leads Ukraine’s special parliamentary commission on arms and munitions and represents the Holos opposition party, emphasized the challenges faced by Ukraine due to the ban on strikes.

“We saw their military sitting one or two kilometers from the border inside Russia, and there was nothing we could do about that,” Ustinova stated, underscoring the limitations imposed by the current policy.

Russia’s recent offensive in the northeastern region of Kharkiv has heightened concerns, with several settlements captured and key infrastructure targeted. This incursion follows intelligence reports indicating Russian troop build-up along the border, numbering between 50,000 to 70,000 personnel.

However, Ukrainian officials are dismayed by the lack of resistance in the face of Russian advances, questioning the defense strategy in the region. Ustinova suggested that Russia’s awareness of the strike restriction emboldened its actions.

Concerns mount that Russia’s objective in the north may involve establishing a buffer zone to impede Ukrainian forces, diverting attention from Kharkiv city and facilitating artillery deployment closer to the urban center. Ustinova compared the situation to the intense battle of Mariupol, highlighting the potential devastation.

While Ukraine has launched attacks beyond its borders, targeting Russian oil facilities using drones, restrictions on NATO weapons limit its retaliatory capabilities. The Institute for the Study of War asserts that these limitations contribute to Russia’s advances, particularly in Kharkiv.

Despite criticism of the policy’s efficacy, the Biden administration remains steadfast in its stance. Officials affirm that assistance is intended for defense, not offensive operations within Russian territory.

Kyiv’s reliance on Western support, including US military aid, underscores the strategic importance of maintaining alliances amidst ongoing conflict. The recent allocation of $25.7 billion in military assistance demonstrates continued US commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Read also: 

Ukraine’s Silent Resume Will Cause America’s Waterloo – or Recoup it’s Global Deterrence Credibility

Click here for more News & Current Affairs at EU Today

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________