Ukraine using Western arms to strike inside Russia ‘a question of time’, says Zelensky

STOCKHOLM – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 31 that Ukraine using any Western weapon to strike Russian territory is “a question of time”.

Outgunned and outmanned on the battlefield, Kyiv has been increasing pressure on its Western allies to be able to launch offensive strikes at military targets inside Russia to better repel Russian advances.

“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,” Mr Zelensky told reporters on a visit to Stockholm.

Ukraine has stressed the urgency of the use of Western-supplied arms to conduct strikes inside Russia as it defends against Russian advances in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.

This spring, Ukraine has found itself on the back foot in the 27-month-old full-scale invasion as it faces delays in military aid from the US, increased attacks on its energy infrastructure and Russia’s push to expand the front line.

US President Joe Biden has

quietly authorised Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia

which support the offensive in the Kharkiv region.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine “got message from the American side early in the morning” on May 31 which signified a “step forward” in defending people in villages near the border with Russia. He did not disclose additional details on the communication with the US.

Mr Zelensky said he did not yet know the possible restrictions related to the use of

long-awaited F-16 fighter jets

but appealed to the question of fairness in deliberations, saying Ukraine should be able to retaliate against Russian strikes.

Germany, another major ally,

signalled its openness

to Ukraine’s use of its weapons to strike military sites fuelling attacks on the Kharkiv region.

France has taken a similar stance, saying

Ukraine should be allowed to strike military sites

Russia is using to attack its territory. REUTERS