Zelensky Denies US Approval Needed for Strikes on Russia, Emphasizes Ukraine’s Independence in Armed Operations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a recent press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, reaffirmed Ukraine’s autonomous capacity to conduct military operations against Russia.
The head of state assured that Ukrainian forces and the defense industry are fully capable of independently executing strikes on Russian targets, primarily utilizing domestically-produced long-range weapons.
When asked about reports in Western media suggesting a ban by the United States on the use of their ATACMS missiles for attacking Russian territory, Zelensky stated that such restrictions are not presently under discussion.He emphasized that Ukraine has not engaged in any negotiations with Washington regarding limits on the deployment of specific weapon types.
Zelensky recalled that in the past, there were certain signals and discussions concerning retaliatory strikes following Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but those times are gone.
Today, no external restrictions or prohibitions are in effect, asserting Ukraine’s sole control over its military decisions.
Furthermore, Zelensky highlighted that the deployment of Ukraine’s long-range weapons results from the efforts of Ukrainian military personnel and the domestic defense industry.
Kyiv’s actions are driven by its own strategic needs and not dependent on external permissions or directives for operational conduct.
This stance underscores Ukraine’s political and military independence, committed to defending its sovereignty using its own capabilities while dismantling any misinformation about external bans or restrictions on weapon usage for retaliatory purposes.