WASHINGTON, USA: The US policy now allows Ukraine to employ long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russia, as confirmed by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday. Austin called this development “very, very helpful.”
This development arises amid concerns that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to threaten other nations. Putin recently suggested that Russia might supply long-range weapons to countries antagonistic toward the West.
During an interview Austin was questioned about the extent to which the U.S. would support Kyiv in striking deeper into Russia with American weapons. Speaking from Normandy, France, where he joined world leaders including President Biden to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Austin clarified the U.S. stance.
“Our policy using long-range strike weaponry to go into Russia hasn’t changed,” Austin stated. “However, we have given Ukraine the capacity to retaliate, to shoot back at Russian forces firing at them, and to destroy their artillery positions as they are firing at the Ukrainians. That should prove to be extremely beneficial to the Ukrainians in the future, in my opinion.”
This policy shift, endorsed by President Biden late last month, grants Ukraine the capability to use American weapons against select targets within Russia. This significantly enhances Ukraine’s defence capabilities in the face of Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked invasion.
