Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Kyiv meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, who has been advocating for the U.S. to lift restrictions on American-made long-range missiles. Zelensky aims for his forces to have the capability to strike deep inside Russian territory with these missiles. However, the Kremlin has issued a warning of an appropriate response if such actions are taken.
Blinken highlighted Russia's recent acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, which he believes will escalate aggression in Ukraine. He pointed out that any escalatory actions seem to be initiated by Mr. Putin and Russia. The likelihood of the U.S. lifting these restrictions remains uncertain, with Blinken indicating that he will report back to President Biden on Ukraine's request.
The visit by Blinken and the new British Foreign Secretary to Kyiv serves as a diplomatic show of support for Ukraine during challenging times on the battlefield. The issue of easing restrictions on long-range weapons for Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory was left unanswered during the discussions.
Despite the uncertainty, Blinken reassured that the support for Ukraine remains unwavering, emphasizing the alliance's solidarity. He expressed the collective message to Putin that the support for Ukraine will persist without faltering.
Meanwhile, reactions in Kyiv were mixed following former President Trump's comments on the U.S. campaign and Ukraine's war during a recent debate. Ukrainian officials emphasized the importance of bipartisan support for Ukraine and a just peace that aligns with U.S. interests.
Concerns among Ukrainians persist regarding the potential for a forced peace agreement that could result in territorial concessions to Russia. The Ukrainian government and military remain steadfast in their stance against any form of surrender to Russia.
