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The United States and Britain have denied Ukraine permission to launch long-range missiles at Russian targets, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced, attributing this decision to concerns over potential escalation. Zelensky indicated that he remains hopeful for a change of heart from US President Joe Biden regarding this policy stance.
On the eve of his U.S. visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky briefed the media on Friday, outlining his objectives for the upcoming talks with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump. The primary goal is to identify concrete proposals for resolving the ongoing conflict.
Kyiv has intensified its lobbying efforts with Western nations to permit the deployment of long-range missiles against Russian targets, emphasizing the potential game-changing impact on the conflict’s trajectory, now over two years since Russia’s invasion began
“Neither America nor the United Kingdom gave us permission to use these weapons on the territory of Russia, on any targets, at any distance,” Zelensky told reporters.
“I think they are worried about an escalation.”
President Putin cautioned that if Ukraine deploys long-range arms provided by Western nations to strike Russian territory, it would imply NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict, decisively altering its dynamics and putting Russia at war with the alliance.
Read also: Russia Pulls From Ukraine Summit, Cites Zelensky’s Agenda
But Zelensky hinted he had not given up hope that Biden — who has four months left in office — could make a U-turn in time for a “historic mission” to make “important decisions for Ukraine”.
“We have had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden — very interesting and difficult dialogues,” the Ukrainian leader said.
“He later changed his point of view.”
A close adviser to Biden said this month he would use his remaining time in office to “put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail”.
