EU Has No Policy on Long-Range Strikes Against Russia, Says Top Diplomat
The EU foreign policy chief has dismissed a proposal to remove restrictions on the use of arms supplied to Ukraine across the entire bloc. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Member states are making their own determinations regarding how Ukraine can utilize the weapons provided to it, according to the EU's foreign policy chief.
Josep Borrell stated that the EU is unable to authorize Ukraine to deploy arms supplied by member states for long-range strikes against Russia because individual national governments prefer to make such decisions independently. Ukrainian officials have argued that their inability to target locations deep within Russia with Western-supplied arms is hindering their military progress. This topic was addressed during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as reported by Borrell to the press after the session.
”Member states want to keep it as a national decision, and each one will take the decision that they consider appropriate,” he remarked.
With many EU countries not providing long-range weapons to Ukraine, their ability to influence the policy is limited, Borrell indicated. He pointed out that nations supplying arms prefer to dictate the terms of their use rather than leaving the decision to the EU.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, who attended the EU meeting, expressed the need to lift restrictions on the range of the weapons and voiced concerns that not all promised military aid has 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, addressing the media in English. “If they are not taken, don’t complain on Ukraine, complain on yourself.”
Borrell endorsed Kuleba’s appeal, stating there should be no limitations on Ukrainian military operations.
This week, Ukraine reported the loss of its first F-16 fighter jet from the limited number supplied by European allies. The confirmation of the aircraft's destruction came on Thursday evening following reports in Western media. Ukraine has not revealed the specifics of the incident, but a Ukrainian MP and other sources indicated it might have been downed by friendly fire from a US-made Patriot missile system.
Moscow has claimed that regardless of the volume of foreign arms supplied, the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will not change, emphasizing that Russia's objectives are critical to its national security. Russian officials have commented that such military aid merely prolongs the conflict and escalates the costs associated with the crisis.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
Josep Borrell stated that the EU is unable to authorize Ukraine to deploy arms supplied by member states for long-range strikes against Russia because individual national governments prefer to make such decisions independently. Ukrainian officials have argued that their inability to target locations deep within Russia with Western-supplied arms is hindering their military progress. This topic was addressed during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, as reported by Borrell to the press after the session.
”Member states want to keep it as a national decision, and each one will take the decision that they consider appropriate,” he remarked.
With many EU countries not providing long-range weapons to Ukraine, their ability to influence the policy is limited, Borrell indicated. He pointed out that nations supplying arms prefer to dictate the terms of their use rather than leaving the decision to the EU.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, who attended the EU meeting, expressed the need to lift restrictions on the range of the weapons and voiced concerns that not all promised military aid has 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, addressing the media in English. “If they are not taken, don’t complain on Ukraine, complain on yourself.”
Borrell endorsed Kuleba’s appeal, stating there should be no limitations on Ukrainian military operations.
This week, Ukraine reported the loss of its first F-16 fighter jet from the limited number supplied by European allies. The confirmation of the aircraft's destruction came on Thursday evening following reports in Western media. Ukraine has not revealed the specifics of the incident, but a Ukrainian MP and other sources indicated it might have been downed by friendly fire from a US-made Patriot missile system.
Moscow has claimed that regardless of the volume of foreign arms supplied, the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will not change, emphasizing that Russia's objectives are critical to its national security. Russian officials have commented that such military aid merely prolongs the conflict and escalates the costs associated with the crisis.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
