The White House is finalizing a plan to ease some restrictions on the use of American weapons by Ukraine. The discussions, which took place in a narrow circle, concern the possibility of expanding the territory inside Russia, on which Ukraine will be able to strike with the use of American and British weapons. It is reported Politico.
This decision, discussed with Washington, London and Kyiv, is related to the need to strengthen Ukraine's defense and prevent new attacks from Russia. The negotiations also concern the authorization to use British missiles with American components to strike Russia.
Previously, the White House was cautious about expanding the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine, fearing an escalation of the conflict with Moscow. However, in recent days, the urgency of the issue has increased against the background of Iran's deliveries of ballistic missiles to Russia.
The decision to lift the rest of the restrictions may be taken at a meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, scheduled for next Friday.
For several months, high-ranking American officials resisted calls from Kyiv and other European countries to lift all restrictions on the use of donated American weapons on Russian territory.
In May, the Biden administration decided to allow Ukraine to use some types of weapons to strike Russian territory, but prohibited Kiev from using long-range missiles. Washington's arguments for keeping the rest of the restrictions in place ranged between a reluctance to escalate tensions with Moscow and the fact that Russia has put too many of its high-value targets out of reach for Ukraine to strike, even if permission were granted.
U.S. officials also point out that since the Army is no longer buying Army Tactical Missile Systems, its stockpile is limited and approaching the point where the U.S. will be concerned about its own stockpile.
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