Moscow warned the West of escalation after Ukraine warned it could attack Russia
Russia accused NATO and the US of “provoking new levels of tension” after the US and Germany became the latest allies to allow the Ukrainian military to use weapons supplied by the West to attack targets inside its territory. Russia.
A Berlin spokesman said Germany believes Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia, especially against cross-border attacks on second-largest city Kharkiv.
US officials said US-supplied weapons could be used to counter Russian fire near the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces are “attacking or preparing to attack”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the decision would help protect civilians living in villages near the Russian border.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said NATO countries, especially the US and some European countries, had “entered a new round of escalating tensions and they are doing this deliberately”, quoted by Tass news agency. stated.
They are using every possible means to provoke Ukraine to continue this senseless war.”
Russian forces have made gains in the Kharkiv region in recent weeks after a surprise attack in the area, near the border with Russia.
The UK and France had signaled they were ready to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s attacks on military sites on Russian territory, before US President Joe Biden said on Thursday night that the weapons provided by the US can be used.
However, a US official told the BBC: “Our policy involves prohibiting the use of military Tactical Missile Systems.” [ATACMS] or long-range attacks inside Russia remain unchanged.”
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Friday that Berlin “shared the belief” that Ukraine has the right to defend itself against a Russian attack.
“To do this, they can also use weapons provided for this purpose in accordance with their international legal obligations, including those provided by us,” he said.
