U.S. House Speaker Johnson backs Ukraine strikes on Russia with Western weapons
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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his support for allowing Ukraine to strike Russia using Western-supplied weapons in a comment for Voice of America's reporters at the NATO Summit on July 10.
He made this comments after being asked whether he discussed lifting restrictions on Ukrainian forces using Western weapons against Russia.
"I stated that the will of Congress is to provide them with the flexibility to use the weapons and aid we've already sent, so they can conduct the war as they think is necessary," he said.
“And I support that. I believe that was Congress' intent."
Using Western weapons on Russian soil
The United States "does not encourage" Ukraine to use American weapons on Russian territory, White House spokesman John Kirby said on May 17. Foreign weapons "must be used to return Ukrainian sovereign territory" and that this should take place "on Ukrainian territory", the Pentagon noted.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Charles Brown evasively answered the question on May 20 of whether Ukraine could use American weapons to strike Russian territory against the background of the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine used Western weapons several times for strikes on Russia, the AFP agency reported on May 29, citing unnamed sources.
US President Joe Biden, under pressure from his advisers and key allies, allowed Ukraine to carry out limited strikes on Russian territory with American-made weapons, NYT reported on May 31, citing unnamed officials in the White House.
The White House allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with American weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on the same day.
Germany allowed Ukraine to strike with German weapons on the territory of Russia, but in areas close to the border, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed on May 31.
Ukraine could use American weapons to strike any Russian forces attacking across the border, not just those in Kharkiv Oblast, the US announced on June 21.
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