Uncertainty Lingers Over US Approval for Long-Range Strikes in Russia

Ukraine's Appeal for US Support

Despite a recent meeting between President Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukraine continues to advocate for US support for long-range strikes within Russian territory. The meeting, which took place at the White House, concluded without any declarations concerning this issue. The discussion occurred a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that if the US permitted and endorsed long-range strikes within Russia, it would signify a state of war between NATO and Russia.

US Stance on Long-Range Strikes

Prior to the meeting, the White House indicated that the US policy regarding long-range strikes had not changed. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated, "There is no change to our view on the provision of long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine to use inside of Russia. I would not expect any major announcement in that regard." The UK is urging the US to approve Ukraine’s use of British-provided Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of approximately 155 miles, within Russian territory. However, there is no evidence that Biden granted this permission during his meeting with Starmer. According to The New York Times, the US is more concerned about the risk of escalation than the UK.

NATO's Support for Ukrainian Strikes

On Saturday, a high-ranking NATO official expressed support for long-range Ukrainian strikes within Russia. Adm. Rob Bauer, the chair of NATO’s Military Committee, stated, "Every nation that is attacked has the right to defend itself. And that right doesn’t stop at the border of your own nation."

Speculations on Expanding Ukraine's Strike Zone

In the days leading up to the Starmer-Biden meeting, several media reports suggested that the US was planning to extend the area where Ukraine could use US and other NATO missiles. Some reports indicated that Biden was prepared to lift restrictions on the Storm Shadows, while others suggested he would also endorse the use of US weapons in long-range strikes in Russia, including the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), US-provided missiles with a range of about 190 miles.

Private Decisions and Public Announcements

Last week, The Guardian reported that a decision to lift the restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the weapons had already been made privately. British government sources informed the outlet that this would not be publicly announced in the near future, and that no announcement was expected following the Biden-Starmer meeting. Previous escalatory actions that the US has taken in the Ukraine proxy war were not publicly announced. For instance, when President Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-provided weapons in Russian border regions, this was initially disclosed by media reports and later confirmed by the administration.

Bottom Line

The situation remains uncertain as Ukraine continues to seek US support for long-range strikes within Russian territory. The potential for escalation and the geopolitical implications of such a decision are significant. What are your thoughts on this complex issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and engage in the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.