Long-range attacks on Russia using American weapons are still prohibited.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that President Joe Biden has permitted Ukraine to attack Russian troops as they gather outside of the Ukrainian border, reversing his previously held policy on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons.
President Biden’s administration initially mandated that Ukraine could only use U.S. weapons against Russia inside of its own borders. However, Ukrainian officials realized that meant they could not launch preemptive strikes on Russian forces organizing just outside their borders.
“Over the past few weeks, Ukraine came to us and asked the authorization to use weapons that we’re providing to defend against this aggression, including against Russian forces that are massing on the Russian side of the border and then attacking into Ukraine,” Secretary Blinken said, speaking in Prague.
This change in policy only applies to short-range attacks into Russian territory near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian forces are still prohibited from using U.S. weapons to launch long-range attacks into Russia.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and his military advisors as they assess the war in Ukraine and provide oversight of the use of U.S. weapons.
- For Secretary Austin and Defense Department officials to be discerning in their evaluations and promotion of U.S. support.
Sources: VOA News, CNN
