CEPA expert related to Ukraine on permission for long-range strikes: political decision that should never have been made is reversed
Pravda Ukraine
Kurt Volker, an expert at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and former US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, has stated that the US administration’s decision to allow the use of US-provided weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory overturns a political decision that should never have been made.
Source: Volker in a comment to Ukrinform
Details: Volker explained that Ukraine, as a victim of external aggression, has an inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He emphasised that while Russia attacks Ukraine from great distances, the United States has been preventing Ukraine from conducting retaliatory strikes at similar ranges.
Quote: “Ukraine has the right to strike any militarily significant target under the laws of armed conflict. It just needs to avoid targeting civilians. There are no restrictions in international law on the range of weapons used.”
“By limiting the range of American weapons used by Ukraine, the United States unjustifiably imposed unilateral restrictions on Ukraine’s self-defence, exceeding the requirements of international law.”
“This unnecessary restriction on Ukraine’s self-defence should have simply been removed. Period.”
Details: Volker said the decision regarding the range of weapons was “completely arbitrary and made due to fears of ‘provoking’ Russia rather than for any moral or legal reasons”.
He stated that Putin knew he was attacking Ukraine and when he did so, he should have been prepared for the military consequences of such a decision.
He believes that “the change of bad US policy is good news”.
However, he noted that such a change should not be made “publicly”, as it gives Russia prior information about potential Ukrainian strikes.
Background:
- The New York Times, citing US officials, reported that US President Joe Biden has for the first time authorised Ukrainian forces to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory.
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