- Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, called for the lifting of restrictions on long-range weapons provided to Ukraine on Wednesday so that it can strike targets deep inside Russian territory.[1]
- Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Borrell said: "Ukraine's Kursk offensive is a severe blow to Russian Pres. Putin's narrative. Lifting restrictions on the use of capabilities vs the Russian military involved in aggression against Ukraine [...] would have several important effects."[2]
- These would include strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself, saving Ukrainian lives, and advancing peace efforts, Borrell added.[2]
- Earlier this year, the US — under the administration of Pres. Joe Biden — reversed its longstanding policy of not allowing US weapons to strike Russia. However, Ukraine was not permitted to use long-range ATACMS weapons to strike inside the territory and could only target regions bordering Kharkiv where Russia had then been launching an offensive.[3]
- Since, Ukraine's leadership has consistently pushed for those restrictions to be lifted. On Monday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "If our partners lifted all restrictions on long-range capabilities, Ukraine would not need to physically enter the Kursk region to protect Ukrainian citizens in the border area."[4][5]
