Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine using any Western weapons to strike Russian territory is “a question of time.”
“I think that using any weapon, Western kind of weapon, on the territory of Russia is a question of time. Otherwise, it is not about just peace.”
Zelensky has been pressuring allies to allow Kyiv to strike targets within Russia
Kyiv has been increasing pressure on its Western allies to be able to launch offensive strikes at military targets inside Russia. This will help them to better repel Russian advances in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
Ukraine has found itself on the back foot this spring as it faced delays in military aid from the US. There have been increased attacks on its energy infrastructure as Russia pushes to expand the frontline.
Biden authorises strikes within Russia
President Biden has authorised Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine “got the message from the American side early in the morning” on Friday. He added that this was a “step forward” in defending people living on the border villages. He did not disclose additional details.
Zelensky said he did not yet know the possible restrictions related to the use of long-awaited F-16 fighter jets.
European countries have spoken about their approval to Ukraine striking targets in Russia. Germany recently signalled its openness to Ukraine’s use of its weapons to strike military sites in the Kharkiv region. France also agreed to this.
With inputs from Reuters
