President Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Consider New Missile Strategy for Ukraine

President Biden to Discuss Possible Shift in Missile Policy with New UK Prime Minister

Washington, D.C.  President Joe Biden is considering a change in policy that could allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles to target deep inside Russia. This potential policy shift will be discussed when Biden meets with new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Friday.

Currently, the use of Western long-range missiles, including the U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles, is limited to targets within Ukraine’s borders. The use of these missiles against targets inside Russia is a topic of debate and would require U.S. approval.

For a long time, President Biden has resisted Ukrainian calls to relax these restrictions. However, as the war drags on and with growing concerns over Iran’s support of Russian missile capabilities, the Biden administration is re-evaluating its stance.

“We’re working that out right now,” Biden said when asked about the possibility of allowing Ukraine to strike military targets like airfields and ammunition depots inside Russia. Recent reports suggest Biden may soon approve the use of long-range missiles, but not necessarily the U.S. ATACMS.

Within the Biden administration, there is a split between those who favor relaxing the restrictions and those concerned about the risks of escalating the conflict. Some officials worry that Russia might move its assets to avoid being hit by long-range missiles, potentially diminishing their impact.

Upcoming Talks with UK Prime Minister

Ahead of Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, U.S. officials have indicated that no immediate policy changes are expected. However, the discussions will cover a range of issues as Starmer establishes his position as the new leader.

No official announcements about changes in missile policy are anticipated from the upcoming talks. However, the ongoing debate reflects the need for Western leaders to reassess their strategies as the conflict evolves.

Putin’s Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia could be seen as direct involvement by NATO countries in the conflict.

The debate over missile policy is intensifying. U.S. lawmakers, including senior Democrats and Republicans, are urging Biden to lift the restrictions to improve Ukraine’s chances in the war. Some former national security officials also support this change.

As President Biden and Prime Minister Starmer prepare for their meeting, the discussion on missile policy highlights the complex dynamics of international support for Ukraine and the ongoing adjustments to military strategy.