The Kremlin has expressed concerns over recent reports suggesting that the Biden administration might soon permit long-range attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian territory using US-supplied weapons. This development could escalate tensions in an already volatile situation.
The United Kingdom and Canada have reportedly given their support for such actions, with UK Prime Minister Ken Starmer currently visiting Washington to lobby President Joe Biden directly to approve the removal of all restrictions on Western weaponry provided to Ukraine. However, The New York Times suggests that more cautious voices are prevailing in the White House. President Biden’s deliberations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about whether to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with long-range Western weapons were fresh evidence that the president remains deeply fearful of setting off a dangerous, wider conflict,” the publication states.
This cautious approach is essential given the potential consequences of such an action, which would arguably mark the most dangerous moment and decision point of the war to date. Pentagon officials have recently emphasized that granting permission for long-range strikes will not significantly alter the battlefield dynamics in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to gain ground.
The Kremlin has issued multiple warnings about the potential ramifications of such attacks. On Friday, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told Rossiya 24 channel that he fears American leadership and the people are under “illusion.” He added that Americans cannot hide from nuclear war if such a conflict were to occur.
During UK PM Starmer’s visit to Washington, The Wall Street Journal reported that British officials would ask for the Biden administration’s input on the matter due to some components of the missiles being produced in the United States. However, as of Friday afternoon, NSC spokesman John Kirby stated that no permission has been given to Ukraine, and Washington’s policy remains unchanged.
To date, Ukrainian forces have used drones to attack targets within Russia; however, launching missiles in areas such as the Moscow oblast would dramatically escalate the situation. President Putin has issued a warning that if this occurs, Russia will not differentiate between Ukraine’s military forces and their NATO suppliers, regardless of who initiated the strike.
