Ukraine, New York Times: “The White House opens up to Kiev about the use of US weapons in Russia” France tests nuclear-capable missile

The taboo reiterated only last week by the White House is now wavering. The ban imposed on Ukraine on using American weapons to strike on Russian territory is starting to falter. At the urging of the State Department, an intense debate began within the White House on the possibility of overturning the denial imposed by the president […]

The taboo reiterated only last week by White House now it falters. The prohibition imposed on Ukraine to use American weapons to hit on Russian territory starts to falter. At the urging of the State Department, an intense debate began within the White House on the possibility of overturning the denial imposed by the president Joe Biden since the beginning of the war. The reports it New York Times citing some sources, according to which the US Secretary of State on the ban Antony Blinken he changed his mind after his recent visit to Kiev. If it were confirmed, it would be a real about-face compared to the line held up to now by Washington. The United States is also considering the yes hypothesis train Ukrainian troops within the country at war with Moscow, although it is unclear how they might react if the trainers came under attack.

On this side of the former Iron Curtain, after Russia said it had started nuclear exercises in its southern military district, the France performed the first test launch of an upgraded missile with nuclear capability, the Asmpa-r, designed to be launched from a Rafale fighter. This was reported by the French Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornuas reported by Guardian. Lecornu said the missile was launched without a warhead from an aircraft “over the national territory” and that the exercise aimed to support “the credibility of the element of deterrence nuclear power”.

Meanwhile, the borders continue to close. There Norway announced the closure of the borders to Russian tourists starting May 29, depriving them of the last direct access point to the Schengen area. “The decision to tighten entry rules is in line with Norway’s approach to stand by its allies and partners in response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” said the Minister of Justice, Emilie Enger Mehl. Oslo, member of Born which shares a 198km land border with Russia in the Arctic, has all but stopped granting tourist visas to Russian citizens from spring 2022. Only holders of a long-term visa issued before this date or granted by another country of the Schengen area could cross the border post of Storskog-Boris Gleb, the only land crossing point between the two countries. They will now be banned from entering from May 29. Some exceptions are made, the ministry said, in particular for Russian citizens visiting their close relatives living in Norway and for those working or studying in the country or other Schengen area states. Although not a member of the EU, Norway is closely associated with it and has adopted almost all of the sanctions adopted by Brussels against Russia.

In Moscow, however, the purge of the top brass of the armed forces continues. According to what the Ria Novosti agency reports, the general Vadim Shamarinhead of the Communications Directorate, was arrested as part of an investigation into corruption.