LONDON — As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the White House today, the Biden administration is facing frustration from other western allies over its refusal to let Ukraine use western long-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia.
The request is a priority for Zelenskyy that he is pressing for this visit, but so far the administration has seemed unyielding in its opposition. That has prompted unusual public expressions of frustration in recent days from some NATO countries.
The prime minister of Denmark, which has been a significant supplier of military aid, this week at the U.N. General Assembly said the public discussion of “red lines” had been a “mistake,” that is “simply giving the Russians too good a card in their hands.”
“It would be really good to stop the delays. And I think that the restrictions on the use of weapons should be lifted,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Bloomberg in a television interview.
President Joe Biden hosts an event with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders launching a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in New York.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Britain and France have both indicated they are ready to allow Ukraine to use their own long-range cruise missiles that they have supplied to hit inside Russia, but want the U.S. to give approval.
U.S. officials have briefed two key reasons for opposing the decision, saying they are concerned it could prompt Russian President Vladimir Putin to further escalate and that the strikes would make insufficient difference to the war, meaning the risk of escalation isn’t worth the military payoff.
Ukraine and some of its other key allies strongly disagree, arguing Putin is bluffing.
Zelenskyy in an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts for “Good Morning America” on Monday said Ukraine could use the missiles to hit airbases that Russia is using to drop hundreds of powerful bombs in eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he believed Britain, France, Germany and Italy were ready to allow the strikes but that the decision needed to come from the U.S.
“The main role is in the United States, in the president of United States, Biden. Everybody’s looking up to him, and — we need this to defend ourselves,” said Zelenskyy.
Putin has turned to loud nuclear saber-rattling in an effort to deter the U.S. from accepting Ukraine’s request. The Russian leader on Wednesday announced changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine clearly directed at Ukraine and U.S. The changes said Russia will now treat aggression from non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers as a “joint attack.”
Putin’s loud threats suggest that the Kremlin at least does not agree with the U.S. assessment that allowing Ukraine to hit targets deeper inside Russia will make little difference to the war.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at an event concerning the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
Leon Neal/AP
The U.S. has provided Ukraine with long-range missiles known as ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) that have a range of nearly 190 miles. Amid the debate over whether to let Ukraine use them deeper into Russian territory, Russia has moved back most of its aircraft to bases out of range of the missiles, reducing their potential effectiveness.
Germany, another key ally for Ukraine, though has expressed opposition to supplying its own long-range missiles, despite Ukraine’s requests. Germany’s leader Olaf Scholz this week again reiterated that refusal, saying it is “not compatible with my personal stance … We will not do that.”
Some U.S. political figures have suggested Germany’s opposition is also a concern to the Biden administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House this week comes at a critical time for Ukraine as it continues to face ongoing aggression from Russia and seeks support from the United States in its efforts to defend its sovereignty.
One of the key topics of discussion during Zelenskyy’s visit is likely to be Ukraine’s push for the United States to provide long-range weapons to help bolster its defense capabilities against Russian aggression. This request comes as Ukraine has been facing increased attacks from Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, as well as ongoing tensions in the Black Sea region.
The use of long-range weapons has become a crucial issue for Ukraine as it seeks to deter further aggression from Russia and protect its territorial integrity. These weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft systems, would provide Ukraine with the ability to defend itself more effectively against Russian military incursions.
In recent years, the United States has provided Ukraine with military aid, including weapons and training, to help bolster its defense capabilities. However, there has been increasing pressure on the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with more advanced weaponry, such as long-range missiles, to help counter the growing threat from Russia.
The issue of providing long-range weapons to Ukraine is a complex one, as it raises concerns about escalating tensions between Russia and the United States. However, many experts argue that providing Ukraine with these weapons is necessary to help deter further aggression from Russia and protect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
During his visit to the White House, President Zelenskyy is likely to make a strong case for the United States to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons to help bolster its defense capabilities. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to this request, but the outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.
