Blinken hints US may allow Ukraine greater latitude to strike in Russia

World
By Editor_1
Emergency workers at the site of an apartment block that was hit by Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Friday (May 31, 2024). The US secretary of state suggested that Ukraine’s use of American-supplied arms could expand beyond the current limitation to strikes in the Kharkiv area - Finbarr O’Reilly/The New York Times
By Edward Wong

PRAGUE — Secretary of State Antony Blinken left open the possibility on Friday (May 31) that President Joe Biden could allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike at a broader array of targets inside Russia, going beyond attacks he has approved on launch sites the Russians are using for their current assault on the Kharkiv area.

“Going forward, we’ll continue to do what we’ve been doing, which is: As necessary, adapt and adjust,” Blinken said at a news conference in Prague at the end of a two-day meeting of top diplomats from member nations of NATO.

Blinken was responding to a reporter’s question on whether the United States might give permission for Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deeper into Russia. The phrase “adapt and adjust” is one that Blinken used in a news conference Wednesday (May 29) in Chisinau, Moldova, to suggest that Biden was about to make a major policy shift and grant Ukraine permission to use the weapons to strike in Russia, as Ukrainian and European leaders had been urging for weeks.

US officials then said on Thursday (May 30) that Biden had made that decision in recent days and told the Ukrainians, that the permission to strike in Russia was limited to sites the Russians were using for the assault on Kharkiv. US officials said the ban on Ukraine using weapons for “long-range” attacks in Russia had not changed.

But Blinken’s remarks Friday suggested the ban could change, depending on shifts in battlefield conditions and the direction of the war. He did say, though, that the United States was “proceeding deliberately as well as effectively.” That included ensuring Ukrainian soldiers had the necessary training to use new weapons systems and the capacity to maintain them, he said.

US officials say the policy shift means Ukrainian attacks with US weapons in Russia can be pre-emptive but can only take place within Russian areas near Kharkiv that the Pentagon has designated and that US military officials have communicated to their Ukrainian counterparts.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking at a separate news conference in Prague on Friday, said he welcomed the loosening of restrictions on Ukraine and that the top diplomats of allied governments had made some progress in discussions on Ukraine over the past two days.

They agreed that NATO should play a greater coordinating role in all military aid to Ukraine, he said, and that member nations should strive to provide at least 40 billion euros (about $43 billion) in total of such annual aid, “for as long as necessary.” That would give Ukraine predictability in planning a long-term defence, he added.

The diplomats also agreed to try to shorten Ukraine’s path to NATO membership, he said, without giving further details.

Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to strike narrowly defined targets in Russia followed weeks of discussions with the Ukrainians and came at the urging of major European allies. In closely held meetings in Washington this month, his top aides debated the benefits and potential consequences of giving Ukraine more leeway with US-made weapons.

Blinken pressed the case for giving permission to the Ukrainians, and other top officials agreed — notably, Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser; Lloyd Austin, the defence secretary; and Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They presented their recommendations to Biden, who understood the need, US officials said.

Three days after his May 14 visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, Blinken met with Biden and Sullivan in the White House. He underscored the need to loosen the restrictions on Ukrainian use of US-made weapons to better defend the Kharkiv area.

The Russians have pressed a campaign in that area since early May, using launch sites within their border for strikes in Ukraine. The Ukrainians have argued they need to be able to use powerful weapons to hit back at artillery, missile launchers and air bases. Some Russian aircraft are releasing glide bombs from within Russia’s airspace to hit targets around Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.

On May 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine told The New York Times in an interview in Kyiv that Russia’s ability to carry out cross-border attacks gave it a “huge advantage” in the war. Ukraine has struck inside Russia with drones and other non-US-made weapons, but the Americans are by far the largest supplier of the more powerful arms that Ukrainian commanders say could make a difference.

Biden had refrained from loosening the restrictions in large part because of fears among US officials that President Vladimir Putin of Russia could use a tactical nuclear warhead in Ukraine. That anxiety reached its peak in October 2022 because of intelligence assessments of Russian military actions around the nation’s nuclear arsenal, then receded. For months, European officials have said their intelligence assessments indicate the potential for Putin to use a nuclear weapon is not as great as the Americans believe.

The leaders of China and India — both large buyers of Russian oil — have warned Putin against crossing the line with nuclear weapons, US officials said, and that has factored into the recent calculus of the Americans. While India has maintained a neutral position in the war, China is by far Russia’s most important partner and, according to US officials, has helped Russia rebuild its military-industrial base with exports of machinery, production tools and chips, and other microelectronics. (Blinken noted Friday that the United States had imposed sanctions on more than 100 Chinese entities for aiding Russia and said that he expected “to see actions taken by Europeans.”)

There is also a sense among US officials that the Russians have thought for a while that the Americans are already giving the Ukrainians great leeway in the use of the weapons. So making that a reality would not be as provocative as US officials had previously believed.

The NATO meeting in Prague was a planning session for a leaders’ summit to take place in July in Washington, in honour of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the alliance. Officials said they would have more substantial announcements than on the defence of Ukraine.

Blinken said that Biden and other leaders at the summit would reveal details of a “robust package of support” for Ukraine.

“Our purpose now is to put in place the bridge to bring Ukraine closer to and then ultimately into NATO,” he said. “As I said, it’s a bridge that I think you’ll see emerge at the summit.”

-New York Times

 

 

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication