Biden’s major missile reversal complicates potential western diplomatic thaw with Moscow

Thu Nov 21 08:20:00 UTC 2024: ## US Decision on Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine Complicates G20 Summit, Fuels Tensions with Russia

**Rio de Janeiro, Brazil** – The United States’ decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles capable of striking deep within Russian territory has cast a long shadow over the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, exacerbating tensions with Russia and complicating efforts toward diplomatic de-escalation. The move, seen by some as a last-minute effort to bolster Ukraine before a perceived shift in US policy under the incoming Trump administration, has been met with strong condemnation from Moscow.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the decision as a “qualitatively new phase of war by the West,” highlighting concerns that US military experts may be guiding missile launches. The announcement coincided with President Vladimir Putin’s absence from the summit, citing concerns about potential arrest for war crimes. This absence, and the noticeably cool interaction between US President Joe Biden and Lavrov, underscored the growing rift between the two nations.

The US decision also appears to be influencing the calculus of some Western allies. While German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently spoke with Putin, and France’s President Macron was seen interacting cordially with Lavrov, the overall atmosphere reflected apprehension about the potential impact of a Trump presidency. Trump’s incoming national security advisor, Rep. Mike Waltz, voiced concerns about the escalation the missile decision represents.

Despite hopes for a strong G20 statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the final communiqué contained only a diluted reference to the conflict, lacking the explicit condemnation seen in previous years. This reflects a reluctance among some nations to take a strong stance against Russia, particularly given the uncertain trajectory of US policy under the incoming administration.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Russia announced an update to its nuclear doctrine, stating that aggression from a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack. While US officials characterized this as “irresponsible rhetoric,” the timing suggests a direct response to the US missile decision. The summit concluded with heightened tensions and a palpable sense of uncertainty about the future direction of the Ukraine conflict.