Pentagon responds to Ukraine's need to strike Russia with US weapons

Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder (photo: facebook.com/PatrickSRyder)

The US did not allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike Russian territory with American weapons, states Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder.

"As the Secretary highlighted, our position hasn't changed," he said.

The Pentagon spokesperson added that the US is focused on supporting Ukraine in reclaiming its sovereign territory.

"We're going to continue to have those discussions with our Ukrainian partners as well as with our international allies and partners. When it comes to the kinds of capabilities to include air defense that Ukraine needs to defend itself, so I'm just gonna leave it there," Ryder added.

On May 20, Lloyd Austin stated that Ukraine had not used the weapons received from the US to strike military targets on Russian territory. He emphasized that Ukraine was allowed to use this weaponry solely for the defense of its territory.

Meanwhile, a group of members of the US House of Representatives called on Austin to allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike targets on Russian territory with American weapons.