UK Prime Minister Meets Biden, What’s Next for Ukraine’s Western Missile Request?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in the US for discussions with President Joe Biden on advancing support for Ukraine. The key issue is whether to permit the use of Western missiles, including long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, to strike targets within Russia.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said that these missiles will reduce capacity of Moscow to launch attacks.

According to The New York Times, the US is considering approving the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, but only if they are not American-made.

At the other end, Russian President Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use Western missiles against Russian targets would mean direct Western involvement in the conflict, altering its scope and nature.

This discussion in Washington is happening after the recent joint visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Kyiv. Both the officials of US and UK promised Ukraine to provide aid and support. But during that visit they did not accept the request of Ukraine for missile use.

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British Foreign Secretary Lammy indicated that negotiations might extend beyond the end of the week, suggesting no immediate decision from Starmer’s visit.

On his way to Washington, Starmer said, “We will discuss many issues, but our focus is on ensuring all decisions align with the broader strategic context.”