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full screen Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder. The picture was taken on 14 May. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/TT
The United States is allowing Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian forces on the Russian side of the border to an increasing extent, American media reports.
Earlier this week, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the weapons may be used “wherever Russian forces cross the Russian border over to the Ukrainian side to try to take additional Ukrainian territory.”
This stance was confirmed on Thursday by Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder. But he emphasizes that the United States has not changed its position on the issue.
– In a situation where Russian forces are shooting across the border, Ukraine’s ability to fight back with ammunition from the United States is about self-defense and therefore it is logical for them to be able to do so, Ryder said at a press conference.
In the past, the United States has said that Ukraine has permission to use American weapons against Russian forces attacking the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine.