Pentagon explains why US does not allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with ATACMS

In an interview with Voice of America, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder stated that the US is still concerned about the spread of war beyond Ukraine’s borders, which is why the ban on ATACMS long-range missile strikes on Russian territory has not been lifted.

As reported by Voice of America, Ryder noted that the United States just approved the use of American munitions across the border for return fire and defensive strikes. However, he emphasised that Washington's long-range strike policy has not changed.

"I think it is important to understand that we do not want to see unintended consequences, escalation, which can turn this conflict into a wider one that will go beyond Ukraine. I think it's something we all need to look at and take very seriously," Ryder said.

He stressed that it is necessary to look at "secondary and tertiary consequences in terms of potential escalation" if targets inside Russia are under attack, which will not necessarily have a strategic impact.

At the same time, he stated that the US never underestimates Russia's threat to Ukraine and would continue to work with Kyiv to ensure that the Ukrainian military has everything it needs to defend its sovereign territory and people.

US President Joe Biden, after giving Ukraine limited permission to deploy American weapons to hit Russian territory, expressed resistance to US weapons being used to strike deep into Russian territory.

Meanwhile, Ukraine wishes to expand the scope of this authorisation.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that Ukraine should have the right to strike Russian territory, as this is provided for by the right to self-defence.