(Dan Tri) – A delegation of Ukrainian officials sought to convince the US Congress to lift the ban on using weapons provided by Washington to attack Russian territory.

M142 HIMARS system opens fire in Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine (Photo: Getty).

`The main problem now is that the White House policy is limiting our ability to attack military targets inside Russia,` said David Arakhamia, leader of the ruling Serving the People party in the country.

Oleksandra Ustinova, head of the Ukrainian parliament’s Arms and Ammunition Committee, said: `We saw their (Russian) army stationed just a kilometer or two from the Russian border but we couldn’t do it.

`You give us a stick but don’t let us use it,` the Ukrainian lawmaker added.

Ukrainian lawmakers have scheduled meetings with more than 10 US congressional offices to lobby for policy changes.

`The aid is for defensive purposes, not for offensive operations on Russian territory,` a US official said.

In contrast to the US, the UK recently lifted restrictions on weapons it supplied to Ukraine.

On the second day of his visit to Kiev on May 15, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $2 billion military aid package for Ukraine, to help Ukraine strengthen its forces against Russian attacks along the front line.

The aid is part of a $61 billion aid package that Washington approved after months of delays in Congress.

During a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Mr. Blinken said that the US aid package was intended to `supply weapons` and invest in Ukraine’s infrastructure, allowing Ukraine to buy military equipment from other countries.

Mr. Kuleba emphasized Ukraine’s urgent need for seven more air defense systems, especially in the northeastern Kharkiv region, which has recently been targeted by Russia.

Referring to the controversial issue of attacks on Russian territory, Secretary of State Blinken said: `We do not encourage or authorize attacks outside of Ukraine, but ultimately Ukraine will have to make its own decisions.`

Previously, in a speech on May 14, Mr. Blinken praised the Ukrainian people for their courage and determination to deal with larger forces.

Regarding military support, he said `the common mission of the United States and Ukraine is to ensure Ukraine’s long-term and sustainable strategic advantage.`

He added that Ukraine must be able to prevent and defend against future attacks.

`As President Biden has said, we want Ukraine to win, and we are committed to helping you do that,` Blinken said.

Blinken also praised Ukraine’s economic development, despite the conflict, for keeping businesses afloat during wartime.