France still considering permit for Ukraine to strike Russia with SCALP missiles, minister says
Photo: French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot (Getty Images)
Allowing Kyiv to launch long-range French missiles against military targets in Russia remains an option. So far, nothing has changed, according to French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, reports Reuters.
“We openly said this was an option that we would consider if it was to allow to strike a target from where Russia is currently aggressing Ukrainian territory. So nothing new on the other side,” Barrot told reporters before a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US weapons to launch strikes on Russian territory. This is a significant shift in Washington's policy in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Later, Axios reported that Biden allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles only in the Kursk region of Russia, where DPRK troops are stationed.
Le Figaro reported that France and Britain had authorized Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles. However, this report was later removed.
The UK government refrained from commenting on whether London might allow Ukraine to use British long-range weapons to strike Russia.
EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell once again called on the EU states to give Ukraine the ability to strike on Russian territory.
