President Biden is set to meet with new British Prime Minister Kirstarmer at the White House to discuss the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons provided by Western allies to strike deep into Russian territory. The issue has been a hot-button topic, with increasing pressure on Biden to loosen the restrictions from Ukraine and domestic sources.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning that lifting these restrictions could lead to NATO countries being at war with Russia. Retired Army Major Mike Lyons emphasized the strategic implications of such a decision, noting that while the weapons may provide Ukraine with a tactical advantage initially, they could escalate tensions significantly.
Lyons highlighted that firing these weapons into Russian territory would create logistical challenges for Russia and could prompt Putin to view NATO's involvement as a red line. The potential for the United States and NATO countries to conduct battle damage assessments on the targets hit by Ukrainian rockets could further escalate the situation.
In response to Putin's warning, Lyons suggested that Russia could mobilize more troops in the region or engage in proxy actions, such as supporting militia groups to target U.S. forces in the Middle East. The retaliation might not be limited to Europe but could extend beyond the region as Russia seeks to expand its influence.
Regarding the impact of Ukrainian strikes, Lyons explained that targets about 150 miles inside the Russian border could include infrastructure and military sites. However, he noted that Russia has taken precautions to protect key assets from such attacks, limiting the potential damage.
Despite the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine, Lyons expressed skepticism about their ability to change the dynamics of the conflict significantly. He emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to reach a peace settlement and highlighted the historical trend of countries with greater capacity prevailing in wars of attrition.
As the situation between Ukraine and Russia continues to unfold, the focus remains on finding a resolution that can avert further escalation and lead to a lasting peace agreement.
