Despite Russia's warning of "playing with fire", top EU diplomat calls for "full untethering" of weapons to Ukraine

On August 29, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the bloc's members should completely lift the restrictions on the use of weapons with Ukraine.

Moscow warned that allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory would be "playing with fire". (Source: Getty)

Sputnik news agency reported that, speaking before the EU Foreign Ministers' conference in Brussels, Belgium, Mr. Borrell stated: "Restrictions on the use of such weapons must be completely lifted so that Ukraine can defend itself."

According to him, the equipment that the West provides to Ukraine "must be fully used so that this country can attack the places from which Russia attacks them".

The statement came despite Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier criticizing discussions about allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory as “playing with fire.”

Regarding whether to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to attack Russia, on the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that Budapest opposed this due to the risk of escalating the conflict.

Affirming his stance on peace, Mr. Szijjarto shared: “If more and more weapons appear on Ukrainian territory or long-range attacks on Russian territory, the risk of escalation will increase and the threat of war will become more serious. We do not want to face this risk."

In addition to opposing allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons to attack Russia, Budapest also blocked the EU from transferring 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion) from the European Peace Fund to European countries that have supplied weapons to Kiev.

Meanwhile, according to EU representative Josep Borrell, the EU has started redirecting revenue from frozen Russian assets to pay for military supplies to Ukraine, with about 1.4 billion euros ($1.55 billion) already transferred.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bat-chap-nga-canh-bao-dua-voi-lua-nha-ngoai-giao-hang-dau-eu-keu-goi-coi-troi-hoan-toan-ve-vu-khi-cho-ukraine-284356.html