Parliament supports use of European weapons on Russian territory
A significant majority of the European Parliament has voiced support for allowing Ukraine to use European weapons against targets in Russia. The position was made clear in a resolution passed in Strasbourg on Thursday, with 425 votes in favour, 131 against and 63 abstentions.
The resolution encourages EU member states to remove restrictions that prevent Ukraine from deploying European-supplied weapons on Russian soil. The Parliament argued that without lifting these restrictions, Ukraine is unable to fully exercise its right to self-defence. The document specifically calls for allowing Ukraine to target "legitimate military targets on Russian territory".
Western hesitations
Western nations have so far been reluctant to allow Ukraine to use their weapons against Russian targets, concerned that such actions could escalate into a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Moscow has issued repeated warnings that strikes on Russian soil using Western weapons would provoke a larger conflict. Last week, US president Joe Biden and British prime minister Keir Starmer discussed the issue in Washington, though no changes in policy were announced.
The resolution also expressed concern about the "declining financial volume of bilateral military aid to Ukraine" from EU member states. The MEPs reminded the EU that, in March last year, member states had pledged to deliver 1 million pieces of ammunition to Ukraine, a commitment that has yet to be fully met.
"The sore point is this: the stop-and-go in our Ukraine policy is bad for Ukraine and bad for us. It is time to take the foot off the brake"
They also renewed calls for the delivery of essential military equipment, including air defence systems and Taurus missiles, which Germany has so far refused to supply.
According to the European Parliament, these restrictions and reduced military deliveries could undermine the progress already made in supporting Ukraine.
"The sore point is this: the stop-and-go in our Ukraine policy is bad for Ukraine and bad for us. It is time to take the foot off the brake," said Flemish liberal MEP Hilde Vautmans. She highlighted the issue with F-16 fighter jets delivered by Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, noting that "now the Ukrainians should only be allowed to use them half and half, only above Ukrainian airspace".
Most Belgian MEPs supported the resolution, with only the PVDA voting against it. Vlaams Belang chose to abstain.
© PHOTO FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP
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