Ukraine seeks end to restrictions on American weapons after children’s hospital struck

 

Ukrainian officials want the U.S. to let them use long-range ATACMS to hit inside Russia.

Ukraine plans to increase pressure on the Biden administration during this week’s NATO Summit to lift all restrictions on using American-supplied weapons in Russian territory. Andriy Yermak, top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that Ukraine wants the administration to allow Kyiv to use longer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems to strike inside Russia. Although Ukraine is already using these weapons in Crimea, it seeks U.S. approval to launch them from other areas. Approving this change would remove one of the administration’s last significant limitations on Ukraine’s use of American weaponry.

   

This push follows a missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday. While Ukrainian, American, and European officials believe the missile was Russian, there is debate over whether the strike was intentional.

   

In May, the U.S. granted Ukraine limited permission to use U.S.-supplied weapons in Russia, but only in the Kharkiv area to target Russian forces just over the border. The White House clearly stated that Ukraine could not use long-range missiles to hit deep inside Russian territory.

   

For months, Ukraine has urged the White House to lift these long-range missile restrictions through various meetings and phone calls with senior U.S. officials. However, the U.S. has been hesitant, concerned that deep strikes into Russia might provoke President Vladimir Putin to escalate the war.

   

Despite acknowledging these fears, Yermak argues that they should not outweigh the necessity for Ukraine to have the ability to retaliate against Russia. He plans to address the issue again in meetings with U.S. officials this week, though he acknowledges it may take more time to reach an agreement.

   

“If you’re good friends, it doesn’t mean that you agree on everything,” Yermak said, stressing that Ukraine also needs more details from the Biden administration on the quantity and delivery schedule of promised weapons. “We have this package,” Yermak said, referring to the funding passed by Congress in April. “But unfortunately, the delivery is still delayed. We need more. It is necessary to move faster.”

   

This information highlights the ongoing and complex dynamics surrounding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with significant involvement and implications for the United States and NATO. Here are some key points:

   

This information highlights the ongoing and complex dynamics surrounding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with significant involvement and implications for the United States and NATO. Here are some key points:

   

1. US Authorization: President Biden authorized the use of American weapons for attacks on Russian territory, specifically near Kharkiv. This was confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with the possibility of expanding the range.
2. US Position: According to John Kirby from the National Security Council, the US position on the issue remains unchanged as of July 8.
3. Russian Response: President Putin and other Russian officials have expressed strong concerns about the involvement of NATO and the use of modern strike systems in Ukraine. Putin warned of the risks associated with these actions, and Dmitry Medvedev mentioned the potential for retaliatory strikes, suggesting that NATO servicemen directly control these long-range weapons.

   

The situation underscores the escalating tensions and the potential for broader conflict, with significant geopolitical implications.