USA does not limit Ukraine's use of US-made weapons only to Russian territories bordering Kharkiv Oblast
The United States allowed Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to strike any Russian forces that attack across the border, not just those in Kharkiv Oblast, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with the PBS channel, Politico reported on June 20.
This quiet shift in US messages comes only weeks after the USA cautiously greenlighted Ukraine's use of its weapons to strike inside Russia.
The policy was then limited to territories bordering Kharkiv Oblast.
The now agreement with Ukraine on shelling Russia with American weapons applies "to all places where Russian troops cross the border from the Russian side in an attempt to seize more Ukrainian territory," Sullivan said.
"Russia has made it clear in recent days that it may soon launch an offensive against Sumy. The policy will apply there as well if that happens."
"It's not about geography. he said.
"It's a matter of common sense. Should Russia attack or intend to attack Ukraine from its territory, it makes sense to allow Ukraine to repel enemy assaults from across the border."
Allowing Ukraine to strike Russia is not a change in policy since the "Kharkiv decision", two US officials said anonymously.
This move was characterized only in the context of Kharkiv Oblast assault initially, but this did not rule out the possibility of retaliating against other attacks, one of the officials said.
Sullivan's statement is markedly different from what American officials said in May.
"The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use American weapons to repel Kharkiv assaults, so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces that are striking or preparing to strike," a senior American official said earlier.
The policy of banning long-range strikes on Russian territory "has not changed", the official said.
Use of Western weapons in Russian territory
The United States "does not encourage" Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian territory, White House spokesman John Kirby said on May 17. Foreign weapons "must be used to return Ukrainian sovereign territory" and that this should take place "on Ukrainian territory", The Pentagon noted.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Charles Brown evasively answered the question on May 20 of whether Ukraine could use American weapons to strike the territory of the aggressor country against the background of the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the United States to allow Ukraine to use American missiles and other weapons for military purposes on the territory of Russia, he said in an interview with the NYT on May 21.
Ukraine used Western weapons several times for strikes on the territory of Russia, the AFP agency reported on May 29, citing unnamed sources.
US President Joe Biden, under pressure from his advisers and key allies, allowed Ukraine to carry out limited strikes on Russian territory with American-made weapons, The New York Times reported on May 31, citing unnamed officials in the White House.
The White House allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on the same day.
A few hours after the White House allowed Ukraine to carry out limited strikes with American weapons on Russian territory, the Ukrainian military attacked the Russian city of Belgorod with HIMARS multiple rocket launcher on June 2, Forbes reported.
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