![Expert criticizes ban on strikes on Russia: When we strike with our own weapons, there is no escalation? Expert criticizes ban on strikes on Russia: When we strike with our own weapons, there is no escalation?](https://static.ukrinform.com/photos/2023_03/thumb_files/630_360_1677758711-841.jpg)
Expert criticizes ban on strikes on Russia: When we strike with our own weapons, there is no escalation?
This opinion was expressed in a commentary to Ukrinform by Oleksandr Khara, a diplomat and expert on foreign and security policy at the Center for Defense Strategies.
"The world did not actually react as it should have to the shelling of Okhmatdyt. It was a very weak reaction from both NATO and our partners - just a condemnation and that's it. And most importantly, they did not lift the ridiculous ban on the use of Western weapons for legitimate purposes in Russia," Khara said.
According to him, the fear of escalation constrains the actions of our American partners and gives an advantage to the Russians, who are able to kill more Ukrainians.
"Although it is ridiculous to forbid us to strike (on the territory of the Russian Federation with Western weapons – ed.). And if we strike with our own weapons, is there no escalation?" the expert said.
He also stated that in order to protect our infrastructure, we, unfortunately, received assurances for only one additional Patriot system from the United States. "But five Patriots for a country as large as Ukraine is not enough," Khara said.
He added that despite the fact that the allies promised Ukraine other weapons, this is still an inadequate response to the crime committed by Russia in Okhmatdyt.
In this context, the expert warned that this is "not the last crime until we defeat the 'terrorist federation'.
As Ukrinform reported, White House adviser John Kirby said that the Russian missile attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital did not change the US policy of prohibiting Ukraine from striking targets deep into the territory of the Russian Federation with American weapons.