WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (Alliance News): President Joe Biden is indicating a potential shift in policy regarding the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine.
Biden is set to discuss this issue with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Friday.
Currently, US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) are restricted from being used on targets deep within Russia.
Similarly, long-range Storm Shadow missiles from the UK and France are limited to use within Ukraine. Any change in this policy would require US approval, which will be a topic of discussion during the upcoming meeting.
Despite persistent calls from Ukrainian officials to ease these restrictions, the Biden administration has been cautious, citing concerns about escalation and the strategic impact of such a move.
Some US officials advocate for loosening the restrictions, while others are wary of the potential risks.
“We’re working that out right now,” Biden said regarding the potential change in policy. However, no immediate policy changes are expected from the meeting, and officials have emphasized that the discussion will cover a range of issues beyond missile policy.
The context of these discussions comes amid growing concerns about Russia’s military capabilities and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia would be considered an act of war against NATO countries.
The meeting between Biden and Starmer also serves as an opportunity for Starmer to strengthen bilateral relations with the US, as he settles into his role as UK Prime Minister.
Starmer, who was elected in July, previously met Biden at a NATO summit and sought further discussions before the US presidential election in November.
