U.S. weapons help Ukraine stall Russian advance in Kharkiv, says Sullivan
The United States has granted Ukraine permission to use American-supplied weapons to target Russian forces, effectively stalling their offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated on June 9.
"It was common sense," stated President Joe Biden, regarding the decision to allow Ukraine to employ U.S. weaponry against Russian advances.
Sullivan emphasized the strategic impact of this decision. "And one thing that I would like to point out is that the momentum of operation in Kharkiv has been sustained," he said.
While acknowledging that Kharkiv remains at risk, Sullivan noted, "Russians have not been able to make significant progress on the ground in recent days in the area."
He assured that the United States will persist in supporting Ukraine's efforts to hold the front line and confront Russian aggression.
Read also: Austrian defense minister criticizes US, France, Germany for enabling strikes in Russia
U.S. authorization for strikes on Russian territory
The New York Times on May 31 reported, citing unnamed White House officials, that U.S. President Joe Biden, under pressure from his advisers and key allies, had authorized Ukraine to conduct limited strikes on Russian territory with U.S.-made weapons.
On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the White House had authorized Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US weapons.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman Michael Carpenter told Voice of America that Washington authorized Ukraine to strike Russian territory not only to protect Kharkiv from Russian attacks, but also to defend other Ukrainian regions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine could strike at Russian territory using HIMARS, GMLRS, and American artillery shells. However, the green light from the United States does not include the use of ATACMS. They also clarified that the US is still against strikes deep into Russia.
Read also: Russian State Duma's Gurulyov called for a nuclear strike on the Netherlands - video
Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom officially authorized the use of their weapons to strike Russian territory, Czechia, Poland, and other countries have supported this decision.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that it was better not to discuss Ukraine's right to strike Russian territory in public.
Bild reported on May 31 that Germany authorized Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike Russia with German weapons no further than 40 kilometers from the border. The journalists noted that government had spent several days discussing the matter, and the decision came immediately after a similar authorization was approved in the United States.
On the same day, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that the country had authorized Ukraine to strike with German weapons on Russian territory, but in areas close to the border.
The AP news agency, citing an unnamed official from a Western country, also reported that Ukraine has already used American weapons to strike Russian territory.
Read also:
Western weapons strikes on Russia to impact frontline situation – Ukrainian military commander
Strikes on Russia will stop Russian Kharkiv offensive, Vovchansk defenders convinced — Telegraph
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