Ukraine Pushes for Expanded Missile Use as US and UK Leaders Visit Kyiv

Wednesday 11 September 2024 - 12:00

Ukraine is intensifying efforts to convince its Western allies, particularly the US and UK, to lift restrictions on the use of long-range missiles against Russian targets. As part of this push, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have arrived in Kyiv following discussions in London, marking a significant diplomatic visit in the ongoing conflict.

During their visit, Blinken emphasized the importance of "hearing directly from the Ukrainian leadership" regarding their objectives and what more could be done to support them. This visit comes at a crucial time, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to urge Washington to relax the current restrictions on US-supplied weapons. These limitations currently prevent Ukraine from targeting Russian territories directly, a move the US and UK fear could escalate the war further.

US President Joe Biden acknowledged that his administration is reviewing whether to lift these restrictions. The topic is expected to gain further attention when UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with Biden at the White House later in the week.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, expressed gratitude for the UK's military support but reiterated Kyiv's need for long-range strike capabilities. "We hope that long-range equipment for strikes on the territory of our enemy will be reached and we will have it, and we hope for your help and support in this issue," Shmyhal said.

Currently, the UK has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles). These missiles have so far been used solely against Russian targets within Ukrainian-occupied territory. However, Ukrainian officials argue that access to longer-range missiles is vital for targeting airbases deep within Russia, where Russian aircraft launch attacks on Ukrainian cities using devastating glide bombs.

In response to the ongoing debate, the Kremlin warned on Wednesday that any decision by the US to allow Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would provoke a fitting retaliation.

Earlier this year, the US had already loosened some restrictions, permitting Ukraine to target Russian military positions along the border. Still, concerns about escalation persist among Western allies, who fear that such moves could lead to direct involvement from NATO or trigger nuclear responses from Moscow.

Additionally, during his earlier visit to the UK, Blinken accused Iran of providing Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. These missiles could be deployed within weeks, potentially bolstering Russia's ability to hit Ukrainian cities close to its borders.

In a related move, the US, UK, France, and Germany imposed fresh sanctions on Iran this week, citing its role in supplying Russia with weapons for use in the conflict. The sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on Iran Air’s flights to Europe.

As tensions rise and Kyiv continues to seek expanded military support, the international community watches closely for any policy shifts that could alter the course of the conflict.