Biden 'understands consequences' of allowing strikes in Russia: Kirby
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This follows a recent decision from the United States to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons against targets in Russian territory
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White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby waits to speak during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, May 17, 2024 (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
US President Joe Biden is fully aware of the potential consequences of his decision to partially lift the ban on strikes by Ukrainian armed forces inside Russian territory with US-supplied weapons, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated on Sunday.
"The president looked at that, talked to the interagency team, made sure he understood all the ramifications of the request, and then approved it. It is limited to the Kharkiv region. And it is limited with respect to the kinds of targets they can hit and how far back they can go," Kirby told ABC News.
This follows a recent decision from the United States to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons against targets in Russian territory, though officials claim that Biden made the move "only to defend the under-fire" Kharkov region against Russian forces.
The State Department clarified that the US has not authorized the use of long-range missiles, including ATACMS, inside Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also been a strong advocate of this initiative.
On Friday, German Federal Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit mentioned that Berlin, along with other Western nations, agreed that Kiev could use Western weapons to repel attacks in the Kharkiv region.
Read more: Ukraine attacking Russia to lead to expanded buffer zone, US vet says
President Vladimir Putin warned NATO allies earlier this week that they should realize "what they are playing with" when they allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to strike deep into Russia.
"These representatives of NATO countries, especially in Europe, especially in small countries, they should be aware of what they are playing with. They should remember that this is usually a state with a small territory and a very dense population. This is a factor they should keep in mind before striking deep into Russian territory," Putin said during a press conference on May 28.
Will Ukraine striking Russia lead to nuclear war?
Veteran Defense Department analyst Karen Kwiatkowski told Sputnik on Sunday that the decision to allow Ukraine to attack Russian soil using US-supplied weapons exposes the deep political confusion and disarray within the United States.
"This decision is a continued sign of political disarray in Washington and within NATO leadership. The Biden administration is praying that Ukraine can continue some kind of resistance until early November," Kwiatkowski said in reference to the upcoming US election.
The decision clearly reflects that Biden is concerned Ukraine would have totally collapsed by the time the elections take place, Kwiatkowski said, and the Democrat would have nothing to show for the hundreds of billions of dollars he spent on Ukraine, so he is desperately willing to use any means possible to keep Ukraine standing until then, even if it meant risking a nuclear war with Russia.
Read more: EU has no evidence China providing Russia with weapons: Borrell
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
