EU High Representative calls for lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons against Russia

27 August, 2024 The M270 MLRS of the Ukrainian military fires GMLRS rockets at the positions of the Russian forces. October 2022. Ukraine.

Photo: Sky News Following the massive Russian attack on Ukraine on August 26, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called for the lifting of restrictions on the use of Western weapons by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military purposes in Russia. Borrell wrote about this on the social media X (formerly Twitter).

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasized that lifting the restrictions on the use of weapons against the Russian military involved in the aggression against Ukraine, in accordance with international law, would strengthen Ukrainian self-defense, protect lives, and reduce destruction in Ukraine. "Russia escalated its aggression renewed massive attacks across Ukraine targeting civilian infrastructure, including hydroelectric stations, and causing casualties," Borrell wrote. He also noted that Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense.

Josep Borrell.

Photo from open sources

Borrell noted that he would discuss the issue with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and the foreign ministers of the EU member states at an informal EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Thursday. In early August, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence, also called on the governments of Germany and other EU countries to ensure that the F-16 fighter jets recently received by Ukraine are more effective. In addition, in her opinion, the support should also include increasing the capacity of Ukraine's air defense systems.

She also supports the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine from Germany. The day before, a massive Russian assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure resulted in 236 aerial attacks.

Infographics of the number of downed Russian drones and missiles. Photo credits: Ukrainian Air Force

It was the most massive air attack since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Ukrainian air defense destroyed 102 missiles and 99 attack drones.