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US presses Ukraine for clarity on potential use of long-range weapons

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The Biden administration remains hesitant to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia, despite growing pressure from NATO allies and Ukrainian requests for expanded capabilities. Expressing concerns about the broader implications and effectiveness of such a move.

US officials have requested more detailed information from Ukraine regarding its combat objectives and how long-range strikes would align with its overall strategy in the war.

The hesitation comes as President Joe Biden prepares to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week.

Ukraine has been pushing for the use of US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target Russian military bases, airfields, and weapons depots far from the front lines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia would be seen as an act of war by the US and Nato. Despite these concerns, Nato officials like Adm. Rob Bauer of the Netherlands said, “Every nation that is attacked has the right to defend itself. And that right doesn’t stop at the border of your own nation.”

US officials have voiced concerns over the risks of escalating the conflict with Russia.

Biden has yet to approve broader use of Storm Shadow missiles, partly because some components are US-made, requiring American approval for their use.

Ukraine, however, insists that striking deeper into Russia, targeting weapons depots, airfields, and military bases, is crucial to pushing Russia toward peace negotiations.

A senior US official indicated that the US is working to help Ukraine shape its objectives and approach to the war.

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin has repeatedly downplayed the significance of long-range strikes, stating that no single weapon will decide the outcome of the war.
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