President Joe Biden has signaled a new openness to allowing Ukraine to send long-range missiles into Russia amid a warning from Vladimir Putin that such a move would lead to ‘war.’
Biden is expected to discuss the issue with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer when the two men meet at the White House this afternoon.
American officials told CNN that they did not expect an immediate sign off from Biden on allowing US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems — known as ATACMS — to be launched on targets inside Russia.
But the United Kingdom has sent its own long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv. Their use, along with use of similar weapons from France, is currently limited to within Ukraine.
A change in that policy will require U.S. sign-off, which is what Biden and Starmer will be discussing in their meeting today.
Putin has upped the stakes, warning NATO leaders that lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the long-range missiles would be considered an act of war.
‘This will mean that NATO countries – the United States and European countries – are at war with Russia. And if this is the case, then, bearing in mind the change in the essence of the conflict, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us,’ Putin told reporters in Russia yesterday.
He said he would follow such a move with ‘appropriate decisions.’
Starmer shrugged off Putin’s threat.
Speaking to reporters en route to Washington DC, the British PM insisted the Russian leader started the war in Ukraine and could end the fighting ‘straight away’.
‘There are really important developments likely in the next few weeks and months, both in Ukraine and the Middle East, and therefore a number of tactical decisions ought to be taken,’ Sir Keir said.
He added: ‘Russia started this conflict. Russia illegally invaded Ukraine. Russia can end this conflict straight away.
‘Ukraine has the right to self-defence, and obviously we’ve been absolutely fully supportive of Ukraine’s right to self-defence, providing training capabilities.
‘But we don’t seek any conflict with Russia, that’s not our intention in the slightest. But they started this conflict, and Ukraine’s got a right to self-defence.’
For his part, Biden has long resisted calls from Ukrainian officials to ease restrictions on the use of the missiles.
But as the war continues – and concern grows about Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles – a change in strategy is being considered.
‘We’re working that out right now,’ Biden said earlier this week when asked whether he would allow Western missiles to target military sites inside Russia.
The New York Times reported, citing European officials, that the United States looks set to approve the use by Ukraine of long range missiles against targets in Russia on the condition that the weapons were not those provided by the United States.
Asked about the concerns of escalation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that they are one factor, but ‘certainly not the only factor.’
He said the U.S. is always willing to adjust its strategy to help Ukraine.
‘From day one, as you heard me say, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that as this evolves,’ Blinken said at a news conference in Kyiv.
No formal announcement of a decision is expected on Friday after the two leaders meet.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggested discussions could continue beyond Friday, tempering expectations of a solid announcement from Starmer’s Washington visit.
There are other items on the agenda for Biden and Starmer’s two-hour meeting.
Starmer said he was visiting Washington for ‘strategic meetings to discuss Ukraine and to discuss the Middle East.’ It’s the Prime Minister’s second meeting with Biden since his centre-Left Government was elected in July .
The war in the Middle East is expected to be discussed.
Britain last week diverged from the U.S. by suspending some arms exports to Israel because of the risk they could be used to break international law.
Biden and Starmer’s meeting also comes before this month’s annual meeting of global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. Both men are expected to attend that gathering in New York.