Leading envoys from Washington and London unveil a fresh economic package for Kiev, as Moscow issues a warning threatening a “appropriate” reaction should Ukraine launch long-range missiles farther into Russia.
Along with their decision to provide Ukraine $1.5 billion, the United States and Britain also pledged to respond quickly to Kiev’s requests to loosen limitations on weaponry that may be used to strike further into Russia.
In a gesture of solidarity, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the economic aid on Wednesday during a rare joint visit to Kiev.
It happened as worries about the state of play in the conflict and Washington’s future position on it grew.
Blinken, who traveled to Kiev with Lammy for nine hours by rail, announced that the US would provide $717 million in new economic assistance to Ukraine.
The US will contribute around half of it to help Ukraine fortify its electrical infrastructure, which has been battered by Russia just as winter approaches.
Blinken accused Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, of “weaponizing the cold against the Ukrainian people” by pulling out “his winter playbook.”
Blinken told reporters in Kiev, “Our unity will not break, our support will not wane.”
Lammy restated the commitment made by his Labour government to give Ukraine £600 million ($782 million) in financial aid.
He said that this year, Britain, which has continuously worked to loosen sanctions on Ukraine’s use of weaponry, would give the country hundreds of additional air defense missiles.
Russia has been accused by Ukraine’s Western allies of obtaining new Iranian short-range missiles, which might increase Moscow’s capability. Claims of weaponry transfer are denied by Tehran and Moscow. Furthermore, the US presidential election in November may cause Ukraine’s main ally to drastically change her position.
Russian aggression
A month after Kiev launched a surprise counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk area, Russia has been making progress toward the strategic logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk province.
In recent months, President Volodymyr Zelensky has increased his demands to the West for weapons that have greater firepower and fewer limitations.
He thanked both nations for their support in an online message on Wednesday night, stating that he had “very substantive” meetings with Blinken and Lammy.
But he also said, “It’s critical that Ukrainian viewpoints are taken seriously.
“This includes the long-range weapons, the supply of combat brigades on the front lines, and the overall strategy for achieving a just peace.”
Blinken stated that the requests will be reviewed “with urgency” by Washington and that President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer would meet there on Friday to address them.
Despite his strong support for Ukraine, Biden has stated in the past that he hopes to prevent direct hostilities between the two most powerful nuclear powers in the world—Russia and the United States—from occurring.
Adequate reaction
When reporters asked Moscow’s response to enlarged missile ranges, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it “will be appropriate” but gave no further explanation.
He claimed that the approval of Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil would provide “more evidence” for Moscow’s offensive, which was in response to the West’s backing for Ukraine.
According to Washington, Russia may launch short-range missiles manufactured in Iran into Ukraine in a matter of weeks.
There are concerns in the West over possible Iranian missile shipments, as it may allow Moscow to target relatively unaffected areas of western Ukraine with its long-range missiles.
Earlier this year, the US gave Ukraine permission to use Western weapons against Russian soldiers when they are engaged in direct combat across the border.
According to rumors in the British media, Biden planned to abandon his opposition to allowing Ukraine to launch long-range Storm Shadow missiles farther into Russia.
Using tactical missiles
Reducing limitations on US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, which can strike targets up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, is one of Ukraine’s main requests.
Members of Congress, both Republican and Democratic, have pressured Biden to act swiftly on the ATACMS issue.
On Ukraine, however, Republicans are very split.
Should Republican Donald Trump defeat Biden’s political heir Kamala Harris in November, US policy could change significantly.
Trump’s advisers have stated that if he prevails, he will use humanitarian aid to pressure Kiev to cede territory to Russia in order to put an end to the conflict.
