Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s top presidential aide has called for an end to restrictions imposed on the use of allied-supplied weapons against targets deep inside Russia.
Yermak’s comment came days after the White House reaffirmed a prohibition on Ukraine conducting strikes deep inside Russia with US-supplied arms, following a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv children’s hospital.
Without naming any specific country’s restrictions, Yermak told a public forum on the final day of the 2024 NATO summit, “The partners have to take off any restrictions to use weapons not just by Ukrainian territory but have the possibility to answer [Russian attacks] including the territory of Russia.”
“It’s impossible to fight them,” he continued, noting that Russia does not have any restrictions.
“The enemy can directly attack to our civilians, children’s hospitals, schools and we have these restrictions,” he said.
Yermak noted that it will be a “real gamechanger” if Ukraine’s allies lift all limits on its use of their weapons.
“And I hope that our partners understand that and agree this decisions as soon as possible,” he added.
Yermak, the Chief of staff to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noted, “We are looking for some strong decisions, as well, today.”
“The war is continuing, and Ukraine showed during this more than two years, that we [are] able to win. And our partners, our friends, exactly understand what we need for this.”
Andriy Yermak
US President, Joe Biden’s administration permits Ukraine to use US-supplied arms against targets just inside Russia that are supporting Russian offensive operations in Ukraine, but prohibits their use for strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Ukraine Satisfied With NATO Summit Outcome
Moreover, the Ukrainian top presidential aide said that the nation, which has been at war with Russia since 2022, is “satisfied” with the outcome of the NATO summit in Washington DC.
“If you ask me if I am satisfied with the results, then I can say that not only I but also all Ukrainians will be happy when we win this war and when the last Russian terrorist leaves our country. Then I will be able to say that we are happy.
“At the same time, I can say that we are satisfied with the results of the Washington summit, because the language of the documents is really strong and the allies have taken real steps forward.”
Andriy Yermak
Yermak also said that the “next step” should be an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO.
NATO member countries have said that Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to NATO membership.
“We reaffirm that we will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met,” the nations said in a joint communique.
Yermak noted the unity of the allies regarding the irreversibility of Ukraine’s path to full membership in NATO.
He said that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was in the interests not only of Ukraine.
“We believe that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is in our national interests and security, but it is also in the interests of NATO itself,” Yermak averred.
“Ukraine is now fighting not only for itself, but it is fighting for all of Europe and the entire free world,” Yermak said.
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