Thu Sep 26 13:18:39 UTC 2024: ## US Under Pressure to Allow Ukraine Long-Range Strikes into Russia
**LONDON** – As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the White House, pressure is mounting on the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. While Zelenskyy has made this request a priority, the US remains hesitant, drawing criticism from several key allies.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a significant military aid provider, has publicly criticized the “red lines” set by the US, calling them a mistake that gives Russia an advantage. She believes the restrictions on weapon usage should be lifted.
While Britain and France have indicated they are ready to allow Ukraine to use their own long-range missiles, they require US approval. US officials argue that allowing such strikes could escalate the conflict and potentially trigger a Russian nuclear response, with little military payoff.
However, Ukraine and its allies, including Zelenskyy, strongly disagree, arguing that Putin’s threats are a bluff. Zelenskyy has stated that the missiles could be used to target Russian airbases, which are currently used to launch attacks in eastern Ukraine.
Germany has also opposed supplying its own long-range missiles, reiterating its stance this week. Some US political figures believe this stance may be a concern for the Biden administration.
The debate comes as Russia has made changes to its nuclear doctrine, stating that it will treat aggression from non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers as a joint attack. This move suggests that Russia does not agree with the US assessment that allowing Ukraine to strike targets within Russia would have minimal impact on the war.
The US has already supplied Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, which have a range of nearly 190 miles. However, Russia has moved most of its aircraft to bases beyond the reach of these missiles, limiting their effectiveness.
The ongoing pressure on the US to approve long-range strikes into Russia raises significant questions about the future of the conflict and the potential for a wider escalation.
First Piper 