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President Joe Biden of the United States and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom are scheduled to meet in Washington on September 13 to discuss the possibility of loosening restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons. This contentious issue has gained attention as Moscow has issued warnings against granting Ukraine the capability to strike deeper into Russian territory.
The meeting comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a tour of Europe where he heard appeals from Ukraine and its allies to lift the restrictions on donated weapons. In May, President Biden adjusted U.S. policy to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-donated missiles to defend itself against Russian offensives, but with limitations on the distance the missiles could strike.
Reports indicate that the UK has given Ukraine permission to use its Storm Shadow missile for deep strikes into Russian territory. However, concerns have been raised over the fact that the weaponry contains U.S.-made components, possibly requiring Washington’s approval.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly opposed any policy changes that would allow Western weapons to be used for long-range strikes on Russian soil, warning that it could lead to a state of war between NATO countries and Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been advocating for longer-range capabilities to better defend Ukraine against Russian attacks, especially as Russia has made significant territorial gains in Ukraine’s east.
During his European tour, Secretary Blinken met with Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who emphasized the need for Ukraine to have better capabilities to defend itself against Russian aggression. Blinken reiterated the importance of adapting to the changing battlefield dynamics and supporting Ukraine in defending against Russian attacks.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Starmer will be closely watched for any potential shifts in policy regarding the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine.
