A List Of All The Countries In Favour of Ukraine Using Weapons To Strike Targets Inside Russia

Amid the ongoing Russian full-scale war against Ukraine and the re-opening of a second front in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine’s Western allies are seriously debating whether to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to target strategic military targets on Russian soil or not.

France 🇫🇷

On May 28 at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to Germany, Macron stated: “We think that we should allow them to neutralize military sites where missiles are fired, from where… Ukraine is attacked,”

In this context, Jean-Louis Bourlanges, President of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Modem deputy, issued a press release pressing France to “come out of its reserve and make a decision comparable to that of the British and Americans,” according to the international affairs specialist. “The right to self-defense excludes the right to protect the territory of the aggressor.”

On November 23, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that Western allies should avoid setting 'red lines' in their support for Ukraine. He confirmed that France is committed to supplying military aid as needed and that Ukraine can use French long-range missiles to target Russian territory in self-defense.

Lithuania 🇱🇹

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis believes that Ukrainians should be able to use the equipment provided to them to achieve their strategic goals.

“They should be able to strike Russian territory, supply lines and troops preparing to attack Ukraine,” he said in an interview with the French television channel LCI.

“Only one side obeys the rules. We must abandon these rules that we ourselves have created,” according to Lithuanian Landsbergis.

Latvia 🇱🇻

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has urged Western partners to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of supplied weapons, noting that Russia’s current offensive attempts are also a result of Western delays and indecision.

“What we see is the consequence of our inability to provide Ukraine with weapons and also putting restrictions [on using] those weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.”

Sweden 🇸🇪

The Minister of Defense of Sweden Pal Jonson stated, in a commentary to Hallandsposten newspaper, that Ukraine can use Swedish weapons to strike targets on Russian territory.

“Ukraine is exposed to an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression by Russia.”

“According to international law, Ukraine has the right to defend itself through military actions aimed at the enemy’s territory as long as the military actions comply with the laws of war. Sweden stands behind international law and Ukraine’s right to defend itself,” Jonson added.

Estonia 🇪🇪

According to Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Ukraine should be permitted to target positions within the territory of Russia, using weaponry supplied by Western allies.

“Ukraine has its own drones that hit targets behind the front line in the very deep rear of the enemy, at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers, so, of course, I sincerely hope that all countries that have long-range means will give permission to Ukraine as well, because this is not normal, that Russia is attacking from the depths of its territory, and the Ukrainians are fighting with one hand behind their back,” Pevkur stated.

Poland 🇲🇨

The Deputy Defense Minister of Poland Cezary Tomczyk stated that Poland does not limit Ukraine from hitting targets on the territory of Russia.

“Polish weapons, which we transfer to Ukraine, have no restrictions on hitting enemy territory,” Tomczyk emphasized.

“Ukrainians can fight as they want and I believe that this is a very important aspect of this donation.”

Finland 🇫🇮

In Februaury 2024, Finland joined Ukraine in urging Germany to “seriously consider” sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

“If necessary, Ukraine should also strike military targets on the Russian side. It is a completely legitimate defensive battle that Ukraine is waging. The U.N. Charter allows military targets to be attacked across land borders,” according to Jukka Kopra, chair of the Finnish Parliamentary Defense Committee.

Czech Republic 🇨🇿

The Czech government has responded positively to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s proposal for Ukraine to utilize Western weaponry to conduct strikes within Russian territory.

“As a country under attack, Ukraine certainly has every right to use all means of defense,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in Prague on May 28.

Great Britain 🇬🇧

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron visited Kyiv on May 2 and affirmed Ukraine’s right to use the weaponry provided by the UK for strikes within Russia. “Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it’s defending itself.”

For the first time, Ukraine’s military has fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at targets within Russia on November 20.

The exact timing and locations of Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow missiles remain unspecified, but Russian sources reported their deployment in the Kursk region.

The decision to deploy these missiles was made in response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

Netherlands 🇳🇱

On May 23, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Hanke Bruins Slot expressed her support, allowing Ukraine to use weapons on Russian territory, and promised that the Netherlands would state its position in communications with the European Union and NATO members.

Canada 🇨🇦

On May 29, at a press conference in Ottawa, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Canada did not set any conditions for Ukraine regarding the use of the transferred weapons. Joly stressed that Canada’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense is resolute.

“Because Russia does not have any ‘red lines’, and therefore we must be sure that when it comes to the defense of Ukraine, we are ready to help them and show that, despite what is happening, we are on their side. And in Canada, there are no conditions for the supply of weapons to Ukraine, and therefore we will continue to work with the Ukrainian armed forces,” Joly emphasized.

Denmark 🇩🇰

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on May 29 that Denmark will allow Ukraine to use Danish-supplied weapons to attack Russia, provided such use adheres to international law.

“You are welcome to use what we have donated to Ukraine, also outside of Ukraine — that is, on Russian targets — if it is within international law,” Frederiksen said in an interview with TV2.

Germany 🇩🇪

On May 31, Germany officially authorized Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against bordering Russian territory near Kharkiv, according to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

“Weapons we’ve supplied will be used in accordance with international law. We all agree that Ukraine has the right to defend itself from these attacks under international law,” he stated

US 🇺🇸

On May 31, Washington approved the use of US weapons by Ukraine inside Russia.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has officially confirmed that President Joe Biden has given his permission for Ukraine to strike military facilities on Russian territory with American weapons.

Several EU countries have held back from authorizing the use of the weaponry they supplied to directly target Russia, citing concerns about the potential escalation of the war. However, as pressure mounts on the Ukrainian frontlines and territory is being lost, there is an increasing discourse on reassessing this stance.

On November 17, the Biden administration has approved Ukraine’s first use of US-supplied weapons for deep strikes into Russian territory.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces have reportedly launched their first strike on Russian soil using US-made ATACMS missiles, hitting a military target near Karachev in Russia’s Bryansk region.

The initiative was soon backed by the United Kingdom and France, which authorized the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles not only on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories but also within Russian territory to strike military targets.