US bipartisan delegation arrives in Kyiv, urges lifting ban on strikes on Russian territory

Espreso correspondent Kateryna Halko reports.

Lindsey Graham called for the lifting of restrictions on Ukraine's strikes with US weapons against Russia.

"If we do the right thing, other aggressors around the world will be less likely to invade their neighbours if we stand with Ukraine and win. So, administration, lift the restrictions and allow the use of weapons to deter invasion. Let's think long-term about Ukraine, not short-term. Let's sign strategic agreements that will involve the United States and Ukraine economically as far as the eye can see, and we will win this war," he said.

At the same time, Blumenthal noted that Kyiv should be given "flexibility, credibility and the ease of winning."

"We cannot allow Ukraine to fight with one hand behind its back, giving them weapons and then telling them they cannot use them in the way they need to win. The whole world is watching. This has been the case from the very beginning. The world is watching not only Ukraine, but also the United States. China is watching. Iran is watching. All our autocratic enemies are watching," the democrat stressed.

The senators also met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I thanked America for supporting our defence, and it is very important that Ukrainians and Americans are truly victorious in this defence of normal life and freedom. We discussed what exactly is needed to end this war and end it fairly. I explained in detail our need for long-range capability," Zelenskyy said. 

Photo: Kateryna Halko

• On June 22, Ukrainian officials announced that the United States had banned Ukraine from firing more than 100 kilometres into Russian territory.
• On July 9, John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council, said that after Russia's massive shelling of Ukraine on July 8, the United States had not changed its decision to strike targets in Russia with US weapons.