Why US doesn't allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with ATACMS: Pentagon explains
Photo: Patrick Ryder, Pentagon spokesman (Getty Images)
The US does not change its policy on using ATACMS to strike Russian territory due to concerns about escalation, stated Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder in an interview with Voice of America.
He recalled that the United States recently allowed Ukrainian defenders to strike at Russian territory, but only in the context of defense or in response to shelling.
Ryder stated that the US policy on long-range strikes has not changed because they do not want to see escalation that could turn this conflict into a broader one extending beyond Ukraine. He believes that this issue should be taken very seriously.
According to him, the United States has never underestimated the threat posed by Russia. Therefore, Washington will continue to work with Kyiv to ensure that the Ukrainian military has everything it needs to defend its country.
What happened before
Earlier, a Ukrainian delegation headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the NATO summit in Washington. It took place last week.
During his speech at the Ronald Reagan Institute, Zelenskyy called on the United States to allow Ukraine to strike Russian aircraft that launch guided bombs on Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized that Ukraine is working to ensure that the United States allows it to strike Russian airfields.
