Ukraine Urges NATO to Lift Weapon Restrictions, China Criticizes NATO Stance

Ukraine has urged NATO to lift restrictions on long-range weapons usage against Russian targets, calling it a 'game-changer.' Meanwhile, China slammed NATO's criticism of its support for Russia, labeling it biased. NATO's summit vowed continued support for Ukraine and addressed concerns about China and Russia's growing influence.

Ukraine urged NATO on Thursday to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons against targets in Russia, saying it would be a 'game-changer' in its war with Moscow. China, in response, criticized NATO's critique of its support for Russia as biased and malicious. The NATO summit in Washington issued a declaration in support of Ukraine on Wednesday, pledging additional aid and backing its 'irreversible path' to NATO membership. NATO leaders are set to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Andryi Yermak, chief of the Ukrainian president's cabinet, expressed satisfaction with NATO's statement but emphasized the need to remove restrictions on weapon usage. U.S. President Joe Biden had already eased some limitations in May, allowing U.S. weapons to hit military targets in Russia. The NATO declaration also sharply criticized China, calling it a 'decisive enabler' of Russia's war effort. China's Foreign Ministry rejected the declaration as biased.

Despite Hungary's opposition to forming an 'anti-China' bloc, NATO plans to launch new joint projects with Indo-Pacific countries on Ukraine, AI, disinformation, and cybersecurity. The summit showcased NATO's united front against perceived threats from Russia and China. Both Biden and Zelenskiy are set to address these issues further in upcoming press conferences.