EU has no policy for long-range attacks on Russia, says top diplomat of the bloc
The EU foreign policy chief has dismissed a proposal to completely lift restrictions on the arms donated to Ukraine across the bloc. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Member states are determining how Kiev can utilize the weapons they provide, according to the EU’s foreign policy chief.
Josep Borrell, the foreign policy chief of the EU, stated that the bloc cannot endorse Ukraine's use of arms donated by member states for long-range strikes against Russia, as national governments prefer to make these decisions independently.
Kiev has asserted that its lack of capability to strike targets deep within Russia using Western-supplied arms is hindering its battlefield progress. Borrell addressed this topic following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday.
"Member states want to keep it as a national decision, and each one will take the decision that they consider appropriate," he remarked.
Not all EU nations are providing long-range weapons to Ukraine, rendering their "practical participation" in shaping the policy irrelevant, Borrell noted. According to him, countries supplying arms seek to guide how their equipment can be utilized, rather than delegating the decision-making to the EU.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, before attending the EU meeting, called for the elimination of restrictions on the range of the weapons and expressed concern that not all promised military equipment had been delivered.
"Those who may try to blame Ukraine for not being successful enough should always remember that the success of Russia depends on one thing: on the preparedness of partners to make bold decisions," he asserted in English to the media. "If they are not taken, don’t complain on Ukraine, complain on yourself."
Borrell endorsed Kuleba’s appeal, advocating for the removal of limits on Ukrainian military actions.
Earlier this week, Ukraine confirmed the loss of its first F-16 fighter jet, one of the few provided by European allies. The plane's destruction was acknowledged on Thursday evening after reports surfaced in Western media. While Kiev has not provided details on the incident, a Ukrainian MP and other sources suggested it may have been downed by friendly fire from a US-made Patriot missile battery.
Moscow has claimed that no quantity of foreign supplies can change the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, contending that Russia's objectives are critical to national security. Russian officials have argued that such military shipments merely extend hostilities and increase the costs of the crisis.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Josep Borrell, the foreign policy chief of the EU, stated that the bloc cannot endorse Ukraine's use of arms donated by member states for long-range strikes against Russia, as national governments prefer to make these decisions independently.
Kiev has asserted that its lack of capability to strike targets deep within Russia using Western-supplied arms is hindering its battlefield progress. Borrell addressed this topic following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday.
"Member states want to keep it as a national decision, and each one will take the decision that they consider appropriate," he remarked.
Not all EU nations are providing long-range weapons to Ukraine, rendering their "practical participation" in shaping the policy irrelevant, Borrell noted. According to him, countries supplying arms seek to guide how their equipment can be utilized, rather than delegating the decision-making to the EU.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, before attending the EU meeting, called for the elimination of restrictions on the range of the weapons and expressed concern that not all promised military equipment had been delivered.
"Those who may try to blame Ukraine for not being successful enough should always remember that the success of Russia depends on one thing: on the preparedness of partners to make bold decisions," he asserted in English to the media. "If they are not taken, don’t complain on Ukraine, complain on yourself."
Borrell endorsed Kuleba’s appeal, advocating for the removal of limits on Ukrainian military actions.
Earlier this week, Ukraine confirmed the loss of its first F-16 fighter jet, one of the few provided by European allies. The plane's destruction was acknowledged on Thursday evening after reports surfaced in Western media. While Kiev has not provided details on the incident, a Ukrainian MP and other sources suggested it may have been downed by friendly fire from a US-made Patriot missile battery.
Moscow has claimed that no quantity of foreign supplies can change the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, contending that Russia's objectives are critical to national security. Russian officials have argued that such military shipments merely extend hostilities and increase the costs of the crisis.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
