During a press briefing on 30 September 2024, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked if Ukraine could prevent renewed Russian bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia by using US-supplied long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia. Miller responded that Ukraine can conduct such strikes using its domestically-produced weapons without needing US permission.
Miller said:
“Ukraine does not need our permission to strike back against Russian targets. They are a sovereign country and can use the weapons that they build on their own, of which are many, if you look at the programs that they have put in place over the last year.”
Miller also highlighted the ongoing US support for Ukraine, mentioning a recent announcement by President Biden of an additional $8 billion in security assistance. He emphasized that the US continues to evaluate whether there are additional tools that can be provided to Ukraine.
When pressed about allowing Ukraine to use US-provided weapons for strikes into Russia, Miller reiterated the department’s unchanged restrictions. He explained,
“We look at all of the capabilities and all the tactics and all the support that we provide Ukraine in totality, and look at how – when we approve any new weapon system or any new tactic, we look at how it’s going to affect the entire battlefield and Ukraine’s entire strategy.”
The spokesperson cautioned against viewing any single weapon system or tactic as a “magic capability that would change the face of the conflict,” emphasizing instead the importance of considering the overall impact on the battlefield and Ukraine’s strategy.
Related:
- US “unimpressed” with Zelenskyy’s “Victory Plan,” WSJ sources say
- NYT: Biden faces pressure to allow Ukraine longer-range strikes on Russia
- CNN: Zelenskyy says long-range weapons ban lift key part of his “Victory Plan”
- No green light yet for Ukraine’s deep strikes, UK’s Starmer reports after White House meeting
- ATACMS scarcity influences US ban on Ukraine’s deep strikes inside Russia, Pentagon’s Singh says
