From Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged EU countries to let kyiv use donated weapons to “strike deeply” on Russian territory. Borrell advocates lifting restrictions to reach the points “from where Russia is bombing.”
“Western allies, including the 27 members of the European Union, must immediately give permission to Ukraine to use weapons donated to deeply attack Russia and maintain the momentum of the incursion in Kursk,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said this Thursday, Dmytro Kulebaas he joined a meeting of his EU counterparts in Brussels.
“What really matters is the moment -Kuleba added- And that is the problem today.”
Astonishment in the Kremlin over the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk
The ground operation in Kursk province, in southern Russia, has been a blow to the war in Ukraine. For the first time since World War II, a foreign army has invaded Russia.
He Kremlin has reacted furiously, launching a barrage of drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities, killing dozens of civilians and destroying more critical infrastructure. The devastation has compounded fears brewing in Brussels that Moscow want to unleash a humanitarian crisis in winter and cause a new wave of refugees throughout Europe.
Weapons against “legitimate military targets”
Speaking of the need to protect “our cities” and “our children”, Kuleba said donated weapons could be used to attack “legitimate military objectives“in Russia, like the airfields used by the Russian army to fire projectiles against Ukraine.
“If we are allowed to attack, We will significantly reduce Russia’s ability to inflict damage on our critical infrastructure and improve the situation of our forces on the ground. Therefore, those who try to blame Ukraine for not being successful enough should always remember that Russia’s success depends on one thing: of the willingness of partners to make bold decisions.
The issue of lifting gun restrictions has been on the EU table for months, after President Volodímir Zelenski I will raise it in May during his visit to Brussels. The request has been accepted by some member states, such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Poland and the three Baltic countries, but the consensus is not general.
Various visions of Ukraine’s right to defend itself
Italia has rejected that Ukraine can increase its attacks with long-distance weapons, while Germany has refused to provide the Taurus cruise missileswith a range of up to 500 kilometersfor which kyiv is pressing.
Together with Kuleba, Joseph Borrelloutgoing EU foreign policy representative, gave his full support. He assured that the restrictions on weapons supplied by the West should be lifted in accordance with international law to allow for the right to self-defense.
“It is clear that Russia wants to completely destroy Ukraine’s electrical system to leave Ukraine in the dark and without heat for the next winter“Borrell said this Thursday.
Who decides is in Washington
However, the decisions regarding a war in Europe are largely in Washington DCwhere the administration of Joe Biden sets limits on the use of long range ballistic missiles for fear of an escalation of the conflict.
He United Kingdomanother key donor, is also holding up the measure pending US approval, and some EU members fear that allowing Ukraine to launch such attacks on Russian territory with the weapons they provide will lead to an escalation.
“We have a very open conversation with the United Kingdom, with the United States asking them May they not waste the momentum that our soldiers and civilians They paid with their blood and sacrifice.
Weapons promised and not delivered
During the meeting of foreign ministers, the Ukrainian envoy will also raise the gap between the announcement of military supplies and the “actual delivery” of that assistance. The delays, he said, are “excessively long“and make war planning difficult. That bothers us a lot“Kuleba said.
The European Union and member states have pledged €39 billion in military support to Ukraine since the start of the invasion, but it is unclear how much of this figure has reached the war-torn country. Last month, Brussels directly transferred €1.5 billion to kyiv through a novel plan based on the frozen assets of Russia.
ADVERTISINGThe Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergiswarned that North Korea e Iran They were consistent in their supplies to Moscow, allowing the invasion to continue, and urging EU countries to step up their efforts.
