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“Ukraine is fighting with its hands tied,” MEP Loiseau criticizes Western hesitation on military aid in Strasbourg

During a Strasbourg debate, MEP Nathalie Loiseau condemned Western restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, calling for unrestricted military aid and permission for Ukraine to strike back at Russian forces

byOlena Mukhina

17/09/2024

2 minute read

An ATACMS missile pictured being launched in South Korea. Photo: South Korea Defense Ministry

“Ukraine is fighting with its hands tied,” MEP Loiseau criticizes Western hesitation on military aid in Strasbourg

French Member of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau has called on European countries to provide Ukraine with all necessary aid, including long-range missiles, and allow it to strike the Russian territory, according to UkrInform.

Despite Ukraine’s requests to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles from its Western partners, including the US and the UK, their use remains limited by the country’s allies, allegedly to avoid escalation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s infrastructure suffers destruction, and more civilians are killed or injured in Russian attacks every day.

“Restrictions placed on Ukraine to defend itself make no sense. Ukraine is being forced to fight with its hands tied behind its back,” Loiseau said during a debate in Strasbourg on extending military and financial assistance to Ukraine from the EU.

She also expressed her confusion over why Ukraine is prohibited from striking the very locations from which it is being attacked.

“What is Joe Biden thinking? Why refuse long-range missiles? What is Olaf Scholz planning? Why are we ignoring sanctions evasion? Meanwhile, Moscow is buying goods from North Korea and Iran, disregarding the cost. Do we even realize what this means?” Loiseau asked her collegues.

She urged Western politicians to recognize their inability to handle the situation effectively.

“Helping Ukraine does not mean taking selfies in Kyiv or repeating empty speeches. Helping Ukraine means providing what it needs, when it needs it, without restrictions and delays,” the former French Secretary of State for European Affairs emphasized.

The resolution to continue supporting Ukraine is scheduled to be voted on at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg this Thursday.

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