The United States said on Tuesday that it “does not encourage” Ukraine to launch strikes in Russia after drone strikes believed to emanate from kyiv on several Russian airbases.
“We are not helping Ukraine to organize strikes beyond its borders, we are not encouraging Ukraine to launch strikes beyond its borders,” US diplomacy spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
However, he was careful not to blame the recent drone strikes on kyiv, which has not claimed responsibility for them. Russia has reported three dead and two planes damaged in one of those attacks against bases on its territory.
Defend the “sovereign territory” of Ukraine
Experts believe that Ukraine entered Russian airspace with Soviet-era drones and not with the billions of dollars in military aid provided by Western powers since Russia invaded Ukrainian territory on February 24.
“We are providing Ukraine with what it needs to be used on its sovereign territory, on Ukrainian soil, to confront the Russian aggressor,” Ned Price said.
Ned Price declined to comment on the information from Wall Street Journal that the United States had modified HIMARS destined for Ukraine, very powerful and sophisticated artillery systems, to prevent them from being used to attack Russia.
Joe Biden has publicly said that he does not encourage Ukraine to acquire long-range missiles for fear of an escalation that could lead to the United States playing a more direct role against Russia.
Source: BFM TV
