U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that his administration is exploring the possibility of lifting the ban on the use of American long-range missiles by Ukraine. This development comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are scheduled to visit Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During a press conference in London, Blinken emphasized the critical nature of the moment for Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities with Russia. “This is an intense fall fighting season with Russia continuing to escalate its aggression,” he stated.
Zelenskyy is expected to advocate for an end to restrictions on how Ukraine can utilize Western-supplied weapons, as his military faces increasing pressure two and a half years into the conflict. When asked about the potential lifting of restrictions on long-range weapons, Biden responded, “We’re working that out right now.”
Despite the significant military aid provided by Ukraine’s allies, the assistance has often come with limitations. The U.S. has been cautious about allowing Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia, fearing that such actions could escalate the conflict and draw NATO allies into a broader war.
Even if the Biden administration decides to relax these restrictions, it may take months for Ukraine to receive the necessary weapons due to technical and bureaucratic processes.
The discussions in Ukraine are particularly timely as Kyiv seeks to enhance its military capabilities against Russian forces.
