The use of weapons supplied from Germany to attack targets in Russia was taboo for Ukraine for a long time. Now, in light of current developments on the front, there is a change of course.
The German government has given Ukraine permission to use weapons supplied by Germany against military targets in Russia. This was announced by spokesman Steffen Hebestreit in Berlin.
“In recent weeks, Russia has prepared, coordinated and carried out attacks, particularly in the Kharkiv area, from positions in the immediately adjacent Russian border area,” he explained. They are both convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks.
“For this purpose, it can also use the weapons supplied for this purpose in accordance with its international legal obligations; including those supplied by us,” Hebestreit said.
In theory, several weapons supplied by Germany could be used to respond to Russian attacks from the border area. These include the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and Mars II rocket launchers.
USA allows limited use of US weapons in Russia
Shortly before the German government, the US government confirmed on Thursday evening that it had given Ukraine permission to use American weapons on a limited scale against targets on Russian territory. However, this only applies to counterattacks in defense of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, said a US government representative. The Ukrainian military should be enabled to take action against Russian forces “that attack them or are preparing to attack them.” Apart from that, the use of US weapons on targets in Russia remains prohibited.
At the level of National Security Advisors, there were intensive discussions between the USA, France, Great Britain and Germany on the use of Western weapons on 29 and 30 May.
Whether Ukraine should be able to use all weapons supplied by the West to attack military targets in Russia is a controversial issue among NATO countries. Ukraine has been demanding this for some time in order to be able to combat Russian positions more effectively in the war that has been going on for more than two years. So far, the country has mainly used its own missiles and drones for this purpose. Western weapons have so far been aimed primarily at Russian positions in the areas of Ukraine occupied by Moscow.
According to information from alliance circles, countries such as the USA and Germany have linked the handover of certain weapons systems to strict conditions for their use. The background to this is the fear that the conflict with Russia could escalate further and NATO could become a party to the war.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
