Report: US Remains Unconvinced on Ukraine's Possible Use of Long-Range Weapons in Russia
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 on 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 their long-range weapons to strike Russia, Moscow will have no choice but to see this as NATO's direct involvement in the war and respond accordingly. This would be a fundamental escalation of the conflict — the West needs to tread carefully.
