President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are meeting to discuss Ukraine's plea to loosen restrictions on using US and UK-provided weapons against Russia. Ukrainian officials have requested the use of long-range missiles to target deeper inside Russia, a move supported by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Minister David Lammy during their recent visit to Kyiv.
The White House is considering a policy shift in response to Russia's evolving battlefield strategy. While no immediate policy changes are expected, Biden and Starmer are likely to address the issue during their meeting.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has urged for more extensive military support, including permission to target Russian air bases and launch sites further from the border. However, US officials have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of certain weapon systems, such as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), in countering Russian threats.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized that providing Ukraine with long-range weapon systems may not be a decisive factor in the conflict. The US and UK are also coordinating on strategic discussions regarding Ukraine and the Middle East, ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting.
The White House has raised concerns about Iran's recent transfer of short-range ballistic weapons to Russia, potentially escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This partnership between Russia and Iran poses a threat to European security and highlights Iran's expanding influence beyond the Middle East.
