UK’s Starmer and Biden to Discuss Ukraine’s Deep-Strike Missiles in Russia

President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the White House on Friday to discuss the extent to which Western allies might assist Ukraine in its defense against ongoing aggression. A key point of discussion was whether Ukraine could be allowed to deploy European-made long-range missiles to target sites deeper within Russia.

Administration officials indicated that Starmer was expected to explore the potential relaxation of restrictions on Western weapons, including Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles. This conversation is part of a larger framework regarding what Ukraine requires to shift the dynamics of a war that has now entered its third year.

Despite the significance of the meeting, officials from the U.K. and U.S. sought to downplay speculation regarding immediate policy changes. John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, emphasized, “There is no change to our view on the provision of long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine to use inside Russia, and I wouldn’t expect any sort of major announcement in that regard coming out of the discussions — certainly not from our side.”

Biden has generally been hesitant to permit Ukraine to utilize advanced Western weaponry to strike deep within Russian territory. In contrast, the U.K. has adopted a more permissive stance, believing that Russian airfields and other logistical sites used to launch attacks against Ukraine should be legitimate targets.

However, senior aides in the Biden administration remain skeptical about the effectiveness of deep strikes, suggesting that such actions might provoke a significant response from Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. officials claim that Russia has moved over 90% of its aircraft beyond the reach of current missile systems, and both the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the U.K.’s Storm Shadow missiles are in limited supply.

A British official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reflected that the focus of the meeting extends beyond any specific weapon system. Instead, they aim to have an “open” conversation about how to empower Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fervently advocated for the acquisition of long-range missiles, sending high-level aides to Washington last month with a detailed list of potential Russian targets for destruction. This week, Ukrainian representatives reportedly discussed the matter with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a meeting in Kyiv.

Both Biden and Blinken hinted at possible major shifts in policy during discussions about Ukraine, with Blinken expressing his commitment to conveying Ukraine’s appeals to Biden. Biden also hinted at ongoing discussions, stating, “we are working that out right now.”

In response to speculations, President Putin warned that any shift in policy regarding long-range missile capabilities would fundamentally change the nature of the ongoing conflict. “This will mean that NATO countries — the United States and European countries — are at war with Russia,” Putin asserted.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has announced that he intends to present a “victory plan” to Biden later this month. He believes this plan could enhance Ukraine’s position and psychologically impact Russia, paving the way for a possible resolution to the war. Speaking at Kyiv’s annual Crimean Platform event, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to share this plan with allies before a forthcoming international summit aimed at peace later this year. He posited, “If partners support it, it will make it easier for Ukraine to force Russia to end the war.”

The Biden administration has gradually lifted certain restrictions on the use of U.S. arms, allowing Ukraine to launch limited defensive strikes against Russian forces near its border. However, while the U.S. has demonstrated robust support for Ukraine, it remains cautious about facilitating deep strikes into Russian territory, wary of provoking a direct conflict with Moscow.

According to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, there is significant skepticism regarding whether a policy shift by the U.S. and U.K. allies could materially influence the situation on the ground in Ukraine. The official noted, “We’re really not talking about something that’ll have an impact on the battlefield,” specifically referring to long-range strike missiles.

Source: ABC News