Washington [US], September 14: The White House said on September 13 that the US does not plan to announce any new policy on Ukraine and the use of long-range missiles , following information that the West could allow Ukraine to use these weapons to attack deep into Russian territory, causing Moscow to react strongly.
"There has been no change in our position on providing Ukraine with long-range strike capabilities into Russian territory. I don't anticipate any major announcements on that," said US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, referring to the discussion between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been calling on Western allies for months to allow him to launch long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.
Mr Kirby said the US was taking seriously Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that he would consider the West directly involved in the conflict if Ukraine launched Western-made long-range missiles at Russia.
Prime Minister Starmer told reporters at the White House that he had "extensive strategic discussions" with President Biden but "it was not a meeting in any particular capacity".
In a related development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed his refusal to send long-range missiles to Ukraine. "Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision will not change," he said when asked about the issue at a press conference.
The information was released as US and UK leaders are set to meet in Washington DC to discuss support for Ukraine.
The US and UK have supplied Ukraine with long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles. However, Germany has repeatedly refused to send Kyiv long-range Taurus missiles, fearing an escalation of the conflict.
On the Ukrainian side, the Independent newspaper quoted President Volodymyr Zelensky as saying that it was "difficult to hear over and over again" that the West was still working on a decision to lift the restriction, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, in the context of Russian forces "burning our cities and villages".
"Putin sees the delay in (the West) helping and making strong decisions for Ukraine as a license for him to do whatever he wants," according to the leader.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper