Zelenskyy on the use of Western weapons for strikes against Russia: «This is not an attack, this is a defense»

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not believe that Ukraine can be prohibited from using Western weapons against enemy objects on the territory of Russia, as it is fighting for our defense, not for attack.

He said this on May 16 during a meeting with journalists, Radio Svoboda reports.

«I don't think there should be any bans, because this is not about the offensive of the Ukrainian army using Western weapons on the territory of Russia. This is protection. It's just like the pre-emptive sanctions we told everyone about before a full-scale invasion. It's the same thing. This is a warning. And not only that, they have the same gray area there. They evict people there, etc. They also have almost no civilians on the border, from their side. For obvious reasons,» the president said.

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However, the United States maintains a position on how Ukraine can use American weapons. It is about its application only on Ukrainian territory.

This was stated by Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh at a briefing.

She was asked whether the ban on striking with American weapons on the territory of Russia is a mandatory condition for Ukrainians. She said every Rammstein-style meeting discusses that the weapon is intended for use on the battlefield. And US representatives emphasize that it is best to do this on the territory of Ukraine.

At the same time, as the Voice of America writes, American senators differed on whether Ukraine should use weapons provided by the United States for strikes on Russian territory, especially against the background of a new Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region.

In particular, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal does not rule out that strikes on some Russian targets may be justified.

«I support Ukraine's use of American weapons, in accordance with our mutual interests. Some Russian goals may be justified and others not, I would consider them selectively. But overall, it should be the most aggressive use of the weapons we provide,” he said.

We will remind that US President Joe Biden signed the bill on aid to Ukraine, which was recently voted by both houses of the US Congress.

Last week, Ukraine received the first batch of anti-tank missiles, shells and much-needed 155mm artillery shells from the US as part of a $61 billion military aid package.