Czechia does not restrict Ukraine's use of its weapons but understands allies' positions

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has stated that Czechia is not imposing any restrictions on Ukraine's use of its military equipment but understands the different attitudes of some allies on this issue.

Source: ČTK, citing Lipavský on Saturday, August 31, at the GLOBSEC security conference in Prague, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: Lipavský said Czechia imposes no restrictions on Ukraine regarding the use of the weapons it supplies.

Quote: "On the other hand, let's be honest: the most advanced weapon systems with long ranges or those that pose strategic dilemmas for suppliers are not coming from Czechia," he added.

Lipavský cited the example of long-range ATACMS missiles received by Ukraine from the US and German Taurus missiles, which Berlin refused to deliver. 

Quote: "I believe Ukraine should be able to use these systems, but I leave it to the discretion of our allies. I never criticise these countries. They are asking questions we can’t even pose," said the Czech Foreign Minister.

He also emphasised that Ukraine has the right to defend itself against aggression. 

"It’s better if a plane with a missile or bomb never takes off than to try to shoot down a plane or missile already heading towards its target. Russia has no right to attack Ukraine. This is ordinary Russian imperialism. We must stop it in its tracks," Lipavský concluded.

Background:

• Earlier, EU diplomat Josep Borrell stated that European Union countries should lift restrictions on the use of weapons provided to Ukraine.
• Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also mentioned that Kyiv hopes to gain partners' agreement for using long-range missiles against targets in Russia and to receive such capabilities in a timely manner.
• After an informal meeting in Brussels, EU ministers decided that such decisions should be made at the national level.

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