U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that the U.S. could tolerate Ukraine using Western weapons against military targets in Russia.
During a news conference in Moldova, Blinken said that the U.S. government had neither enabled nor encouraged attacks with U.S. weapons on targets outside Ukraine.
He however said that Ukrainians needed to make their own decision on how they can effectively defend themselves.
Blinken emphasised that a key aspect of U.S. support for Ukraine has been the ability to adjust to changing conditions and battlefields, as well as to Russia’s actions.
“In every step along the way we have adapted and adjusted as necessary, that is exactly what we do going forward,’’ said Blinken.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, the U.S. has provided military aid to Ukraine.
He urged them to not use U.S.-made weapons to fire into Russian territory to avoid escalating the conflict.
The U.S. government has not officially changed its position.
According to U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, the U.S. had already adapted its support to the needs of Ukraine.
Recently French President Emmanuel Macron spoke out in favour of allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to attack Russian positions on Russian territory.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is also pushing for the lifting of restrictions.
