WASHINGTON, USA: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden are set to meet on Friday to discuss whether to allow Ukraine to use British and French long-range missiles against Russia. Kyiv is pressuring both Washington and London to remove restrictions on using these weapons, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a move would signify NATO’s involvement in the war against Moscow.
According to reports, Biden may be open to Ukraine using British and French missiles with US technology, though not American-made missiles. This conversation comes amid growing concerns over the outcome of the November U.S. election, where the result could significantly impact US policy on Ukraine. While current US policy under Biden has been strongly supportive of Ukraine, former President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to take sides in the conflict and suggested he could negotiate a peace deal that might involve concessions to Russia.
Biden, who has so far provided Ukraine with billions in aid, is cautious about escalating the conflict further. He has approved incremental military support, such as authorizing the delivery of F-16 jets only this year. Discussions between Starmer and Biden are likely to focus on Ukraine and Middle Eastern issues, especially the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Starmer’s government has recently imposed restrictions on some weapons to Israel, citing concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law. This decision has caused some tension with Washington, which reportedly asked London what it would require to change its stance.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a joint visit to Kyiv, promising to expedite the review of Ukraine’s request for more advanced weaponry. The stakes are high as Putin has repeatedly issued warnings that expanding Ukraine’s missile capabilities could risk escalating the conflict to a level where NATO would be considered directly at war with Russia.
With the US presidential election looming, the potential for a shift in U.S. policy under a different administration adds urgency to these discussions. While Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged continued support for Ukraine if elected, Trump’s approach remains unpredictable, raising concerns in Kyiv about the future of Western support.
