US to discuss Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles for strikes deep inside Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that the United States will discuss the possibility of Ukraine using long-range weaponry to strike targets deep inside Russia.

The announcement was made during a press briefing on September 10 in London, where Blinken stood alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The pair also announced plans to visit Kyiv this week, marking the first joint visit by US and British foreign officials to Ukraine in more than a decade.

The discussions are expected to focus on whether the US will allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles, such as the Washington-supplied ATACMS, to target Russian territory. Kyiv has long urged its Western allies to permit such strikes as part of its defence strategy against Russian aggression, which escalated with President Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February 2022. Until now, the US has been cautious, fearing that deeper strikes into Russia could lead to an escalation in the conflict.

“One of the purposes of the trip is to hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, about exactly how the Ukrainians see their needs in this moment and what objectives they have,” Blinken said.

He added that after gathering information from Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy, both he and Lammy will report back to their respective governments.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, also made a public appeal earlier on September 10, urging the US to allow Ukraine to target military installations on Russian soil using Western weapons. He called for the transfer of longer-range missiles and the enhancement of Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.

Blinken emphasized that the US has consistently adapted its support based on battlefield conditions and Ukraine’s strategic needs. “From day one, our goal has been to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs, when it needs it, to effectively counter Russian aggression,” he said, noting that decisions must consider a range of factors, including Ukraine’s ability to effectively use and maintain the systems provided.