Ukraine’s Request for Deeper Strikes in Russia Faces Delay Until UN General Assembly

Western powers are not expected to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weaponry for strikes deep into Russian territory before the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a report by Bloomberg.

During a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, senior diplomats from the United States and the United Kingdom, Antony Blinken and David Lammy, discussed Ukraine’s request for permission to conduct deeper strikes into Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been advocating for the relaxation of these restrictions, seeking to expand Ukraine’s ability to target military infrastructure within Russia.

The visit by Blinken and Lammy aimed to hear directly from Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s military strategy for the coming year. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Zelensky outlined his case for the necessity of conducting strikes within Russia, emphasising that Ukraine’s focus is solely on military targets. He also provided details on Ukraine’s military objectives for the near future.

Although both Blinken and Lammy refrained from explicitly committing to any policy changes, they indicated that the matter would be reviewed during upcoming discussions between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, scheduled for Friday in Washington.

Strategic Discussions Ahead of the UN General Assembly

The timing of these diplomatic discussions coincides with preparations for the annual UN General Assembly in New York, set to begin on 24 September. This event will bring together world leaders for high-level debates, including on global security issues like the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky is expected to intensify his lobbying efforts during his meeting with Biden at the UN assembly, where he will likely push for a relaxation of restrictions on Western weaponry. However, Bloomberg notes that it is improbable that any major decisions regarding long-range strikes will be made before the assembly convenes. Lammy also alluded to this, stating that the General Assembly would serve as the next forum for discussions on long-range missiles and further military support for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Request for Expanded Military Capabilities

Ukraine has been requesting long-range weapons from its Western allies since the early stages of the conflict, as it seeks to disrupt Russia’s logistical operations and military capabilities far from the frontline. The US and other Western nations have thus far been cautious in approving such requests, concerned that attacks deep into Russian territory could escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.

During a press briefing before his meeting with Blinken and Lammy, Zelensky acknowledged that Western hesitancy remains a significant hurdle. “Unfortunately, this does not depend on my optimism, but on their optimism,” he told reporters, referring to the West’s decision-making process.

US and UK Positions on Long-Range Strikes

While the US administration has not yet made a final decision, there are signs of a potential shift in policy. Politico reported that the Biden administration is finalising a plan to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied weaponry for strikes on Russian targets. Meanwhile, the UK has already approved the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles by Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory, according to The Guardian. This decision reflects London’s more proactive stance in supporting Ukraine’s military ambitions.

Despite this, it is unclear whether the US will follow the UK’s lead in granting similar permissions. Any decision by the Biden administration to permit long-range strikes would likely be contingent on broader geopolitical considerations, including the risk of provoking a stronger Russian response and the potential for drawing NATO into a more direct confrontation.