Blinken in Poland: Talks on Ukraine's long-range missile use
Granting Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia is one of the main topics being discussed during the U.S. Secretary of State's visit to Poland. Antony Blinken will address this issue, among others, during meetings with the President and the Prime Minister.
The United States officially does not rule out giving Kyiv the green light to use long-range weapons to strike Russian territory. “President Joe Biden is 'not ruling out' allowing Ukraine to fire missiles deep into Russian territory,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week in an interview with Sky News. This was the U.S. diplomacy chief's reaction to reports that Iran provided Moscow with short-range weapons.
The topic of Ukraine using long-range weapons will also come up during the talks in Poland. Government sources acknowledge that following Blinken's visit to Ukraine with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, consultations with other allies are ongoing. “The Prime Minister will communicate the Polish government's stance on this matter,” two government sources stated.
On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss granting Ukrainian forces permission to carry out attacks on Russian territory. He stated that allies expect that the meeting could expedite the decision-making process.
Zelensky appeals to the U.S. for approval
During the visit of the U.S. and British foreign ministers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine must obtain permission to use long-range weapons supplied by the United States and other partners as soon as possible. Kyiv has been appealing to Washington for months for the right to attack Russian targets deep within Russia.
Antony Blinken landed in Warsaw after 3 AM Eastern Time. Meetings are scheduled with the President, the Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and the Ministry of National Defense representatives will also participate in the discussions. Topics will include security issues and energy, including constructing a nuclear power plant in Poland.
“This visit confirms the close and lasting partnership between the United States and Poland and highlights our shared commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against unprovoked Russian aggression. The Secretary's visit showcases the crucial role of our alliance and the importance of continued cooperation in addressing global challenges,” wrote the U.S. Embassy on platform X.
During his visit to Kyiv, Antony Blinken noted that the concern about escalating the war through deep strikes within Russian territory using missiles supplied by the U.S. is one of the factors the United States considers when deciding to lift the ban on such attacks. However, this is neither the only nor the decisive factor.
