US denies ‘enabling’ Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory
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The White House asserts that Kiev is only permitted to utilize US-supplied weapons in a defensive capacity.
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Foreign journalists report from an observation point while smoke rises after a Russian strike in Kharkiv on May 17, 2024. (AP)
The United States refuted allegations of aiding Ukraine in utilizing Western-provided weaponry to target Russian territory following Moscow's accusation that Washington was "playing with fire" by permitting Kiev to shell Russian cities.
During a press briefing on Friday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby disclosed a new aid package of $2 billion for Kiev, emphasizing that Washington was actively observing the Russian offensive in northeastern Ukraine. Kirby stated that efforts were underway day and night to provide Ukrainian soldiers with weapons and equipment to fend off these attacks.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the equipment and funds should be utilized solely to bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities, rather than for targeting objectives on Russian territory.
"We do not advocate for, nor do we facilitate, attacks using US-supplied weapon systems within Russian territory. That remains our unchanged policy," Kirby affirmed in response to a reporter's inquiry about reassessing "the restriction on Ukraine from employing American weapons offensively."
US officials have reiterated their stance regarding Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, as well as the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, considering them as Ukrainian territories under Russian "occupation."
This comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on May 14 and planned to hold a series of meetings with the country's top officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The trip comes as Russian forces continue to advance in Kharkov after launching an unexpected offensive across several regions last week.
Moreover, Moscow accused NATO and EU countries of encouraging Ukraine to strike residential areas using Western-supplied long-range missiles, such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG.
“Russia will not leave such encroachments on its territory unanswered,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday.
