Speaker Johnson backs call to let Ukraine strike targets in Russia with U.S. weapons
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Smoke rises over Kharkiv, Ukraine, on May 21. Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday backed fellow lawmakers' call for the Defense Department to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons on military targets within Russian territory
Why it matters: The Biden administration banned the use of U.S.-made weapons to strike inside Russia in an effort to keep the conflict from escalating, but some have criticized the embargo for restricting Ukraine's ability to effectively defense itself.
Zoom out: A group of bipartisan representatives led by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence chairman Michael Turner (R-Ohio) asked the DOD in a letter on Monday to lift the embargo.
- "Ukrainians have been unable to defend themselves due to the [Biden] administration's current policy," the letter said.
- Ukrainian officials traveled to D.C. earlier this month, pushing for the change.
- Ukraine increased its spending on domestically made weapons, including from private factories, during its counteroffensive.
Context: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday urged Ukraine's allies to be more involved in the country's defense efforts.
- Russia amassed equipment and men near Ukraine's border before Russia's Kharkiv offensive this month.
- While Ukraine has been limited in how it may use its arsenal, Russia for months has been relentlessly pounding Ukrianian cities, particularly Kharkiv, with hundreds of missiles, glide bombs, Iranian-produced drones and North Korean ballistic missiles.
- Those attacks have contributed to thousands of civilians deaths and injuries within Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.
Yes, but: Much of the equipment and personnel have not yet been committed to the offensive but remain in reserve on Russian territory outside the range of Ukraine's traditional tube artillery, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
- However, HIMARS and ATACMS the U.S. has given Ukraine likely could reach those targets, according to the institute.
- This restriction has given Russia a low-risk sanctuary space to amass troops and equipment for offensives to claim additional Ukrainian territory.
What they're saying: Asked by Voice of America Wednesday if he supports the letter, Johnson said the U.S. attempting to "micromanage" Ukraine's defense "is not good policy for us."
- "I think we need to allow Ukraine to prosecute the war the way they see fit," Johnson said. "They need to be able to fight back."
What's inside: "It is essential the Biden administration allows Ukraine's military leaders to conduct a full spectrum of operations necessary to respond to Russia's unprovoked attack on their sovereign land," the letter said.
- The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
State of play: The letter also demands the U.S. increase its support for Ukrainian pilot training and air defense.
- It encourages the U.S. Air Force to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots who can operate the fighter jets transferred to Ukraine last year.
- The Air Force is set to graduate 12 Ukrainian pilots from F-16 training by the end of 2024, the legislators said.
- "Slots for Ukraine must be prioritized over other foreign countries," the representatives wrote.
The legislators also demanded seven Patriot missile defense batteries be given to Ukraine to protect urban areas from missile attacks.
- "Recent reports indicate that aid to Ukraine is not arriving in sufficient quantities and in a timely manner, exacerbating the dire situation on the ground," the letter said.
Zoom in: The Monday letter was signed by 13 legislators in total, including House Intelligence ranking member Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.).
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the past president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, also signed the letter.
Go deeper: Zelensky urges allies to begin intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine
