Pressure is mounting on the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and France over the conditions for the use of long-range missiles supplied to the Ukrainians in recent months, capable of striking deep into Russian territory and destroying its infrastructure (bridges, roads, railways) or its bases.
As kyiv tries to hold on to the areas it conquered during its surprise summer offensive (some 1,300 square kilometres) in Russia’s Kursk region, while limiting the enemy army’s advance in the Donbass, positions in favour of lifting restrictions on the use of certain Western-supplied weapons – those that can exceed a range of 250 kilometres – are increasing.
The issue was at the centre of an unprecedented joint visit to kyiv on Wednesday by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy. The two men met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been campaigning for such an option for many months. But nothing concrete has been announced. “The trip shows that we are determined to ensure Ukraine’s success”Blinken simply reaffirmed.
However, the day before, US President Joe Biden declared that his administration was “labor” on lifting restrictions. According to Bloomberg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Friday to clarify his plan. “This includes better understanding what kyiv aspires to and why. (…) before making a decision »the agency writes, citing unidentified members of the US administration.
This prospect is taken seriously by the Kremlin, which promised a response on Wednesday. “appropriate” in the event of a change in doctrine by kyiv’s allies. “Every such decision taken by the West (…) It is additional proof of the justified, necessary and non-alternative nature of the special operation.” in Ukraine, said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Fear of an uncontrolled escalation with Russia
“If we were authorized to destroy military targets [en Russie] or weapons prepared by the enemy for their attacks in Ukraine, this would bring more security to our civilians, our people, our children.”said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal after an interview with David Lammy. “Without that, we have no chance of success. We just want to survive, we don’t want to involve you in this war.”A Ukrainian official who visited Paris in recent days also confirmed that discussions on this issue between kyiv and its allies were intense.
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