KYIV, UKRAINE — The Russian military’s progress towards Kharkiv has come to a halt following the United States’ decision to allow Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to target sites within Russia, according to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Sullivan announced on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that despite Kharkiv still being under threat, Russian forces have been unable to make significant advances in the area recently. This development follows Washington’s approval for Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to defend its Kharkiv region, which borders Russia. The decision was taken despite initial concerns that such actions could provoke a broader conflict involving NATO.
“From the president’s perspective, this was common sense,” Sullivan explained, emphasizing that Ukrainians should have the capability to strike back at Russian encampments and weaponry attacking them.
In a move mirroring Washington’s stance, NATO allies France and Germany have also permitted Ukraine to use Western-supplied arms for strikes inside Russia, particularly along the border in the Kharkiv region. However, this has drawn warnings from the Kremlin, which suggests that such actions could escalate the conflict and potentially drag Western nations into direct confrontation with Russia.
During a state visit to France, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to leverage profits from approximately $280 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. These funds, largely held in the EU, are intended to generate a steady revenue stream to service a $50 billion loan for Ukraine’s defense and infrastructure.
Some countries have expressed reservations about utilizing these profits, fearing it might be seen as theft. Nevertheless, a U.S. Treasury official indicated that the U.S. and G7 nations are progressing towards a consensus on this approach. The frozen assets yield between $2.7 billion to $3.8 billion annually, which the EU argues is not contractually owed to Russia and therefore can be redirected.
As the G7 summit in Italy approaches, U.S. officials plan to issue a strong warning to smaller Chinese banks assisting Russia in evading Western sanctions. Daleep Singh, Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics, stated that G7 leaders would address China’s support for Russia’s economy, framing it as a significant concern for European security and NATO.
Singh emphasized that China’s role in bolstering Russia’s military efforts represents a growing threat not only to Ukraine but to broader European and transatlantic security. President Biden, speaking in Paris alongside Macron, reaffirmed the commitment to countering any potential threat posed by Russia to European stability.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to take a toll on civilians. Moscow-installed officials reported that two civilians were killed in Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine. One casualty occurred in Nova Maiachka, Kherson region, and another in Donetsk, both allegedly due to Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military claimed to have struck a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet at an air base inside Russia, marking a significant escalation. This claim was corroborated by a pro-Russian military blogger. The aircraft was reportedly hit by a drone while parked at the Akhtubinsk airfield, far from the front lines.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged airstrikes over the weekend, resulting in casualties on both sides. Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russia-held Kherson and Luhansk regions resulted in 28 deaths and 60 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. Conversely, Russian airstrikes in eastern Ukraine primarily caused damage to buildings and infrastructure.
These incidents highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the significant impact on civilian populations and military assets alike. The situation remains volatile, with potential for further escalation depending on the actions and responses of the involved parties.
