This morning, President Biden is facing increasing pressure to relax restrictions on how Ukraine utilizes long-term, long-range weapons provided by the United States. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen has joined the chorus of lawmakers urging the White House to authorize Ukraine to launch its missiles deep into Russian territory.
Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, weighed in on the sensitive issue. He highlighted that the missiles in question have the capability to reach several hundred miles into Russia, posing a significant risk of escalation. Historically, the U.S. has refrained from granting permission for such actions due to this escalation concern, presenting a challenging dilemma for the Pentagon.
Senator Merkley emphasized the critical nature of the decision-making process, particularly in light of the upcoming election. He drew a stark contrast between the two presidential candidates regarding their stance on supporting Ukraine. One candidate is portrayed as a strong advocate for Ukraine, a nation that upholds democratic values such as freedom of expression, voting, and speech, in opposition to Putin. In contrast, the other candidate, Trump, is criticized for his perceived alignment with Putin, both during his previous presidency and currently.
Senator Merkley pointed out that Trump's approach, characterized by a lack of support for military aid to Ukraine and a failure to endorse the NATO partnership crucial for providing necessary resources to Ukraine, could significantly jeopardize Ukraine's position in the ongoing conflict.
