US lawmakers ask gov. to allow Kiev's use of US weapons inside Russia
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US lawmakers have addressed Lloys Austin, asking him to allow the use of US long-range weapons by Ukraine against Russian territories.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Washington (AP)
The United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, received a letter signed by several bipartisan US lawmakers, demanding his approval for the Ukrainian use of US-supplied long-range weapons, to strike deep Russian territories.
"We write in our capacity as members of the US House of Representatives to convey our strong support of several urgent requests on behalf of our Ukrainian colleagues: Authorizing the Use of US-Provided Weapons to Strike Strategic Targets within Russian Territory Under Certain Circumstances," the letter, written by US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Michael Turner and others, read.
The letter further claimed that the US's aversion to allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territories was obstructing Ukraine's ability to confront Russian forces in Kharkiv.
They also demanded that the Defense Department train more Ukrainian pilots on how to operate F-16 fighter jets.
US denies ‘enabling’ Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory
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."
Read more: Kiev already used long-range ATACMs US secretly sent to Ukraine
