President Joe Biden said his administration was “working that out now,” when asked if the US would lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons in its war against Russia.
The US is reluctant to supply or authorise the use of weapons that could hit targets deep inside Russia for fear of escalating the conflict. Kyiv’s other allies are also making certain restrictions out of concern of drawing NATO countries into the war or provoking a nuclear conflict.
US military sources reported last week that Washington was close to an agreement to provide Ukraine with such weapons. However, Kyiv would still have to wait several months while the US resolved technical issues before delivery.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Ukraine on Wednesday. He meets with senior government officials at an alleged critical moment to support the country in its fight against Russia.
The top US diplomat, who is in Ukraine with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said he would use his visit to hear directly from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky what Kyiv’s current goals in the war are and what Washington can do to achieve them.
I think it’s a critical moment for Ukraine in the midst of what is an intense fall fighting season.
