Tue Sep 17 04:00:48 UTC 2024: ## West Hesitates on Ukraine Long-Range Missile Request, Seeking “Goldilocks” Solution

**Washington D.C. -** The debate over providing Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia intensifies, with the West grappling with a delicate balancing act: providing enough support to Ukraine without triggering a direct conflict with Russia.

A recent meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday, September 14th, failed to yield a decision on the matter. The request for permission to use Western-supplied long-range missiles hinges on Ukraine providing a list of targets deemed essential for achieving victory.

The fear is that too little support could lead to Ukraine’s defeat, particularly in the Donbas region, where Russian forces are making significant gains. Conversely, excessive support could escalate tensions to the point of direct Western involvement in the war.

While the West has provided significant aid to Ukraine, including tanks, missiles, air defense systems, and intelligence, there is growing concern that these efforts are insufficient. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for the authorization to use long-range missiles against Russian targets, arguing it is crucial for deterring Russian aggression and preventing the launch of devastating glide bombs.

However, the U.S. Pentagon expresses caution, citing the risk of escalation and the potential ineffectiveness of such strikes. They argue that Russia has moved its glide bombs beyond the reach of existing U.S.-made missiles, and that the U.S. itself lacks a sufficient stock of these weapons without compromising its own military readiness.

Furthermore, the use of long-range missiles would require direct involvement of U.S. personnel, as the missiles rely on American GPS and require NATO personnel to operate and target. This has prompted a stark warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who views such a move as a direct declaration of war against Russia.

The Biden administration is currently seeking a “Goldilocks” formula: a level of support that would be strong enough to deter Russia from further aggression but not so strong as to provoke a direct confrontation with NATO. This delicate balancing act is being weighed carefully, as the West grapples with the potential consequences of escalating the conflict.

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