New York, September 24, 2024 — The Europe Today: Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is anticipated to discuss the issue of US restrictions on long-range strikes into Russian territory when he meets with US President Joe Biden later this week, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby.
Scheduled to meet with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday following his address at the UN General Assembly in New York, Zelensky is expected to press for lifting limitations on the use of long-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine seeks to employ against targets deep within Russia.
“I’m sure the issue will come up,” Kirby told reporters on Tuesday, noting that President Biden has not altered his position on the matter and remains firm on the current policy regarding missile restrictions.
Kiev has been urging the US and its allies to remove all limitations on the use of the military aid provided to Ukraine, arguing that such restrictions hinder their efforts in the ongoing conflict. While the West has pointed to these limitations to distance itself from direct involvement in the war, Ukraine is seeking permission to fully utilize the long-range weaponry, such as ATACMS missiles.
Reports from The Washington Post indicate a divide within the Biden administration over this issue, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin opposing any policy changes, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken supports Kiev’s request. Two Ukrainian officials expressed frustration over the delay in receiving approval for these strikes, which Kiev expected by now.
The Post also revealed that Ukraine has already used US-supplied weapons in Russia’s Kursk Region, pushing the boundaries of previous engagement rules. However, the US military has expressed concerns, arguing that the potential advantages of allowing ATACMS strikes are outweighed by the risks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing this matter earlier this month, argued that granting such permissions would escalate the conflict, implicating the US and NATO directly in the war against Russia. This, Putin warned, would drastically alter the nature of the conflict, prompting Moscow to respond with “appropriate decisions.”
As tensions mount over the long-range missile debate, the US is set to announce a new $375 million military aid package to Ukraine. According to AP sources, this latest batch will include missiles for HIMARS launchers, cluster bombs, armored vehicles, and anti-tank missiles, among other supplies, all drawn from existing US military stockpiles. To date, the US has provided over $56 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022.
