Joe Biden isolated after Western allies agree to let Ukraine fire weapons at Russia

Joe Biden found himself isolated in his refusal to allow US weapons to be fired into Russia from Ukraine, after France and Germany relaxed their rules.

Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine was free to use its high-powered weapons – including French versions of Storm Shadows – to fire across the border.

He made the announcement alongside Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, while holding up a map showing Russian bases used to attack Ukraine in the latest offensives.

Mr. Scholz was more cautious, but acknowledged that Ukraine had the right under international law to use Western equipment to defend itself against attacks launched from Russian soil.

This leaves the United States isolated, as its Western partners, including the United Kingdom, have almost all relaxed their rules. U.S. weapons are seen as crucial to halting advances, particularly on the northern border where Russian troops are regrouping for new attacks north of the second city of Kharkiv.

“We must allow [the Ukrainians] neutralize the military sites from which missiles are fired, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked,” Macron said during his state visit to Germany.

“But we must not allow other targets in Russia to be hit, and obviously civilian capabilities,” he added. “What has changed is that Russia has adapted its practices somewhat.

“If we say [to the Ukrainians]'you are not allowed to reach the point from where the missiles are fired', in fact we tell them 'we are delivering weapons to you, but you cannot defend yourself'.”

“Ukraine has every chance of doing so, under international law. We have to make it clear, it is under attack and can defend itself,” Mr. Scholz said, raising the possibility that German weapons could be moved close to the border for strikes inside Russia.

The issue of strikes on targets on Russian soil has become an important issue in recent weeks after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said his forces were unable to target Russian troops as they waited at the border before launch a new offensive in the region northeast of Kharkiv. .

“We cannot, and this is a fact, risk the support of our partners. That is why we do not use our partners' weapons to attack Russian territory. That’s why we ask: please give us permission to do this,” Zelensky said during a visit to Belgium on Tuesday.

kyiv's army has repeatedly used Western weapons such as US-supplied Himars rocket launchers to strike groups of Russian soldiers in the occupied territory.

Storm Shadow cruise missiles donated by Britain and France were used to strike munitions and fuel dumps intended to support Russia's offensive actions.

But the U.S. embargo on such strikes on Russian soil has made it easier for Russia to launch long-range attacks from within its borders.

Despite growing pressure on Washington to authorize strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on military targets in Russia, there have been few signs of movement.

“Our position has not changed at this stage. We do not encourage or authorize the use of U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian soil,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said after the Franco announcement. -German.

U.S. opposition has sparked fresh debate over how far kyiv's Western backers should go in allowing autonomous use of the donated weapons.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, called for a reconsideration of the limits imposed on certain weapons, without directly addressing the Americans.

The Western alliance's top official said the restrictions were “tying the hands of Ukrainians behind their backs.”

EU countries are also deeply divided on the issue, said the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell.

The United Kingdom, the Baltic states, Finland and Poland have already approved the use of their weapons against targets in Russia.

Their moves have sparked accusations of “direct escalation” from the Kremlin, stoking fears of a broader conflict between some NATO members.

The United States, Italy and Germany have expressed fears that, as a nuclear power, Russia would be provoked by lowering limits on Western arms donations.