The Battle for Ukraine: Will European Countries Allow Attacks on Russian Territory?

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are facing a new reality in their ongoing conflict with Russia, as European Union defense ministers met to discuss the possibility of granting them permission to attack Russian territory. While Ukraine’s military capabilities were once limited, recent support from international allies has provided them with increasingly sophisticated weaponry, including artillery howitzers and Himars. This has allowed Ukraine to target Russian bases near the border and conduct mass attacks on Crimea, which was forcibly occupied by Moscow in 2014.

The question now arises: should European countries grant permission for Ukraine to launch attacks on Russian territory? While some governments see this as a beneficial option, there is no unanimous agreement within the bloc. Josep Borrell, the ‘European Chancellor’, emphasized that such actions must be legal under international law and targeted at military installations only.

Individual member states will ultimately decide whether to support Ukrainian attacks on Russia. Some countries have expressed support while others remain undecided or opposed. France’s Emmanuel Macron has indicated that France is willing to allow the use of French weapons for offensive purposes. However, it remains uncertain what impact these decisions will have on the extent of Ukraine’s military actions against Russia.