Report: US Remains Unconvinced on Ukraine's Possible Use of Long-Range Weapons in Russia
The Facts
The US, under the administration of Pres. Joe Biden, remains unconvinced that it should grant Ukraine authority to use long-range Western weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, according to US officials who spoke to the Associated Press this week.
As Biden and Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepare to meet next week, US officials said they have asked Ukraine to elaborate how such weapons — if provided — would be used in line with Kyiv's war objectives.
The Spin
Because of current restrictions on long-range weapons, Russia simply moves its weapons out of range, hampering Ukraine's ability to put any pressure on its military. Ukraine has waited too long to receive these permissions.
Should NATO countries lift restrictions and allow its long-range weapons to strike Russia, Russia will have no choice but to see this as NATO's direct involvement in the war and proceed accordingly. This would be a fundamental escalation of the conflict and the West needs to tread carefully.
The US remains unconvinced that allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons deep into Russian territory best serves its war aims. It will seek further clarity from Kyiv when leaders of the two nations meet next week.
