Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, expressed her view on the ongoing debate about reversing the ban on firing U.S. weapons at targets inside Russia. She suggested that Russian bases should be considered “fair game” for Ukraine to target.
“I believe there is also a question of whether the United States and our allies should provide them with more assistance in targeting Russian bases, something we have not been willing to do so far,” Nuland expressed during an interview on ABC News’s “This Week.”
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When questioned about her stance on Ukraine targeting Russian bases, Nuland expressed her opinion, stating that if the attacks originate from Russian territory, then these bases should be considered legitimate targets. She emphasized that this includes bases where missiles are launched or troops are being supplied from.
According to Ukrainian officials, the recent Kharkiv offensive by Russia could have been avoided if they had been allowed to target locations in the neighboring Russian province.
Victoria Nuland, who retired in March, has frequently faced criticism for her stance on Russia and its actions in Ukraine. On Sunday, she emphasized that the recent attacks in Kharkiv indicate that it is now crucial for the United States to support Ukraine in targeting Russian bases.
Last week, a group of five Ukrainian lawmakers embarked on a trip to Washington with the objective of engaging with officials from the Biden administration and members of Congress. Their primary aim was to advocate for the reversal of the ban imposed by the United States.
Ukrainian leaders have consistently maintained that their own weaponry is not as efficient as American-made arms when it comes to targeting legitimate military objectives in Russia. They specifically highlight the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a missile launcher, and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which are highly valued for their long-range artillery capabilities.
During his recent visit to Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s efforts to regain control over its territories.
During an interview on “This Week,” Martha Raddatz questioned Nuland regarding her support for targeting Russian bases. Raddatz raised concerns about potential escalation of tensions with Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nuland explained that Russia has been the one escalating the war by strategically withdrawing their forces from the range where Ukraine can access weapons and support. This has given Russia a clear advantage, as they have taken advantage of our hesitation and significantly intensified their actions in the conflict.
According to Nuland, the recent advances made by Russia can be partly attributed to the months-long delay of U.S. aid to Ukraine. After facing a year-long stalemate in Congress, lawmakers finally passed a national security supplemental last month, allocating $61 billion to Ukraine.
“I believe Ukraine has the potential to reverse the situation, Martha. However, the six-month delay has unquestionably had an impact. Ukraine’s frontline requires the artillery that we are providing,” Nuland expressed. “They need stronger air defenses to counter the Russian attacks originating from bases within Russia.”
