Ukraine's Right to Self-Defence: US Weapons Authorised for Russian Targets
The Ukrainian armed forces are authorised to use weapons supplied by the United States to target military installations across Russian territory, not limited to those near the Kharkiv region.
This declaration was made on Thursday, June 20, by the U.S. Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, as reported by DW.
"The ability to respond to incoming fire is the cornerstone of this policy... When we observe Russian forces firing across the border, Ukraine can retaliate against these ground forces using U.S.-supplied ammunition," he explained, as cited by Reuters.
Ryder argued that the actions of the Ukrainian military in this scenario constitute "self-defence," emphasising, "therefore, they should have this option."
Previously, Jake Sullivan, U.S. Presidential Assistant for National Security, echoed similar sentiments in an interview with PBS. Addressing the question of the legitimacy of strikes on Russian soil using American weaponry, the White House spokesperson stated: "It's not about geography; it's about common sense. If Russia attacks or is poised to attack Ukraine from its territory, then allowing Ukraine to retaliate against the forces targeting it across the border makes sense," Sullivan elaborated.
Several Western countries have granted Ukraine authorization to target military objectives within the Russian Federation.
Amid increased Russian strikes on the Kharkiv region in late May, these countries permitted Ukraine, defending against potential Russian invasion, to utilise the weapons provided to strike military targets on Russian soil.
In response, Moscow has warned the United States of "dire consequences" regarding decisions on Ukraine's use of the U.S.-supplied arms. Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a possible "asymmetric response" to Western actions.
U.S.-Ukraine Security Agreement
On June 13, during the G7 summit, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a ten-year bilateral security agreement. This agreement, to which the Ukrainian leader was invited, does not include commitments to deploy U.S. troops to defend Ukraine nor does it impose financial obligations on Washington toward Kiev.
However, the agreement stipulates that in the event of an armed attack on Ukraine or the threat thereof, senior American officials will meet with their Ukrainian counterparts within 24 hours to discuss Ukraine's response and necessary provisions for defence.
Biden emphasised that the agreement represents a step toward Ukraine's accession to NATO. Earlier, 15 other countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, signed similar security agreements with Ukraine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
