UK, France could reassess Russia strikes for Europe security: Diplomat
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His comments followed a report by Le Figaro, which indicated that France and the UK had aligned with the United States in authorizing Ukraine to strike Russian territory.
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Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov, addresses the media near the 'Grand Hotel Vienna' where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, June 12, 2021 (AP)
The United Kingdom and France could reconsider their stance on permitting Kiev to target Russia with long-range weapons if they prioritize Europe's security, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, pointed out on Monday.
Ulyanov’s comments followed a report by the French newspaper Le Figaro on Sunday, which indicated that France and the UK had aligned with the United States in authorizing Ukraine to strike Russian territory using Scalp and Storm Shadow long-range missiles.
"They have a chance to reconsider their position, if they do care about the European security. There is no space for primitive political games anymore," he wrote on X.
They have a chance to reconsider their position, if they do care about the European security. There is no space for primitive political games anymore. https://t.co/IPYy11KNac
— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) November 18, 2024
On his part, Chairman of the Committee on Defense of the Russian State Duma, Andrey Kartapolov, considered that allowing Ukraine to strike the Russian depth with Western weapons would not affect the course of the special military operation, yet this factor will be taken into account.
"This will not change the course of the operation in any way... Of course, we will take this factor into account, but the tasks set by our Supreme Commander will be fulfilled," Kartapolov said.
Meanwhile, he asserted that Russian air defense systems can work very effectively against all types of ammunition.
While France and the UK have provided Ukraine with their own long-range missiles, they had withheld approval for strikes inside Russia, pending US authorization of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
US President Joe Biden has approved Ukraine's use of American long-range missiles against military targets within Russia, in a significant policy shift long sought by Kiev
Reports from The New York Times and The Washington Post, based on unnamed sources, first highlighted the change, linking it to the alleged of troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to support Russia's war efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged Washington to authorize the use of the ATACMS for strikes inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a decision would signify NATO's direct involvement in the conflict.
According to US media reports, the Biden administration's shift was prompted by intelligence indicating that approximately 10,000 DPRK troops are being reportedly deployed to Russia.
The latest development coincides with Biden's preparations to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the conflict in "one day" through negotiations that are expected to involve territorial concessions from Ukraine.
US officials had previously expressed reservations about approving ATACMS for Ukraine, citing limited impact on the battlefield and concerns over depleting American stockpiles of the missiles.
Read more: Europe seeks last-minute Ukraine support from Biden: Bloomberg
