In a significant declaration on Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a strong call to action for Ukraine’s allies. She demanded that the restrictions imposed on the use of donated weapons be lifted, paving the way for long-range strikes against Russia. This plea comes at a time when the debate surrounding the limitations of Ukraine’s military actions is intensifying.
Frederiksen, in an interview with Bloomberg, declared, “My suggestion is, let us end the discussion about red lines.” She criticized the hesitation shown by Ukraine’s allies in authorizing Kyiv to target sites within Russia, arguing that such caution has inadvertently given Moscow a powerful bargaining chip.
The pressure for a more assertive approach against Russia is growing. While countries like the US, major arms donors, have imposed restrictions on the use of their weapons to avoid deeper involvement in the conflict, there is a rising demand from various leaders for a change in policy. Among these voices are the EU’s top diplomat and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both of whom emphasize that lifting these restrictions is crucial for Ukraine’s success.
Denmark, Finland, and Sweden have already voiced their support for allowing Ukraine to utilize its donated weapons freely. Frederiksen stated, “The most important red line has been crossed already. And that was when the Russians entered Ukraine.” She vehemently added, “So I will not accept this premise, and I will never allow anyone from Russia to decide what is the right thing to do in NATO, in Europe or in Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s forces have been stepping up their offensive actions within Russia. Last month, they seized almost 1,000 square kilometers in the Kursk region during a cross-border incursion. President Zelenskyy, echoing Frederiksen’s sentiment, declared, “It is only fair to destroy Russian terrorists where they are, where they launch their strikes from.” He urged allies to empower Ukraine to strike critical strategic targets, such as air bases and arms depots, deep within Russian territory.
As the conflict approaches its 1,000th day since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war has evolved into a grueling war of attrition with minimal territorial gains for either side. Zelenskyy is currently in the US seeking support for Ukraine and outlining his “victory plan.”
