The U.S. will this week discuss the possibility of Ukraine using its long-range weaponry to strike targets deep inside Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.

Blinken made the remarks at a press briefing alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a visit to London, where it was announced that the pair would travel to Kyiv this week, marking the first joint visit of its kind for more than a decade.

Kyiv has long urged its Western allies, including the U.S., to allow it to strike targets deep within Russian territory using weaponry such as the Washington-supplied ATACMS, ground-launched ballistic missiles. The U.S. has so far prevented Ukraine from doing so, fearing escalation in the conflict launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.

"Has the time come to allow Ukraine the freedom to use the long-range missiles you're supplying them to hit targets deep in Russia, and if not, why not?" Blinken was asked at the press briefing.

Blinken said the topic would be discussed during his visit with Lammy to Kyiv this week.

"One of the purposes of the trip that we'll be taking together is to hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, about exactly how the Ukrainians see their needs, in this moment, to what objectives, and what we can do to support those needs," he said.

"So all I can tell you is we'll be listening intently to our Ukrainian partners. We'll both be reporting back to the prime minister [Keir Starmer], to President Biden, in the coming days, and I fully anticipate this is something they will take up when they meet on Friday," Blinken continued.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Defense Ministry for comment by email.

The Secretary of State said that a hallmark from day one of Washington's efforts to support Ukraine in the war "is to work to make sure they have what they need, when they need it, to be most effective in dealing with the Russian aggression."

"I think you've seen, again, from day one, that we've continuously adjusted and adapted based on battlefield conditions, based on what Russia was doing in a given place, by given means," Blinken said.

"It's so important that, when we're making these decisions, we factor in a number of critical elements. It's not just the system itself that counts. You have to ask, can the Ukrainians effectively use it? Sometimes, that requires significant training, which we've done. Do they have the ability to maintain it? Again, this is something that we've worked on. Is it part of an effective strategy? All these are questions that we're continuously asking ourselves," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky's office, called on the U.S. in a post on Telegram to grant Ukraine permission "to use Western weapons against military targets on Russian territory" as well as "the transfer of longer-range missiles and the strengthening of our air defense."

BitterTruth0001:
Are these people forgetting Russia has the most nuclear weapons ?


I think Ukraine should use sense now that they’re making progress. No go overplay your end . The goal should be to push Russia out of their territory , not to try and destroy Russia cities cos that will definitely backfire .

Botragelad:
Just a heads up for those who haven't been following, this is all happening after the US said Iran is supplying Russia with ballistic missiles.

And, by the way, the US(plus those who have been supporting Ukraine with weapons) has been a bit restrictive on how Ukraine can use their weapons to strike deep into Russia. But now that Iran and Russia have made their move, there's chat about removing those restrictions and letting Ukraine use those weapons however they like. So, watch this space, things might get interesting!

Botragelad:

Source;
https://www.newsweek.com/us-ukraine-russia-atacms-antony-blinken-1951517

Nlfpmod
Seun
mukina2
Justwise
Fergie001
nlfpmod

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
Russia will probably respond by providing long range weaponry to the Houthis in Yemen.

OkpaNsukkaisBae:


.

Ojiofor:


US will grant Ukraine their wish as usual but a month later when Russia must have neutralized their new long range threat Ukraine will be back asking for a new weapon.Very soon they will ask US to give them atomic bomb when everything else have failed to stop Russia advance.

Melagros:
COMRADES, I swear to God, USA wants to bite more than it can chew

Melagros:
COMRADES, I swear to God, Ukraine wants to bite more than it can chew
That Zalensky guy useless comedian, stupid and inexperienced, do you want to offer your people as sacrificial lambs ba?

Justnation:
Russia said America and NATO were using Ukraine as a decoy to attack and disintegrate it's nation. Any move to approve Ukraine strike Russian deep cities will confirm Putin narrative, and will change the dynamics of the war.

Ukraine should be careful, zelensky is a comic theater leader and may totally destroy Ukraine.

Some countries will soon blackout of supporting Ukraine because their purpose was to defend Ukraine against external aggression from Russia not to support Ukraine to attack Russia committing the same offense Russia committed

Botragelad:

So, Russia's done a cracking job of trying to take Kyiv, haven't they? I mean, who needs to actually win a war when you can just keep fighting for years and losing loads of soldiers?

And Ukraine have been taking out Russia's missiles top. Meanwhile, Putin's over there in his Bunker, begging Iran for scraps. What's the point of your rant?lol

Ojiofor:


Russia will keep advancing until the whole of Donbas region is under their control...US experts of course have told Ukraine that long range missiles they are demanding for will not change anything on the battle field.
32 NATO member states plus Japan,Australia,South Korea etc..supplying all types weapons Ukro Nazis yet they are crying every day for more.

Botragelad:

Just like Putin keeps crying to Iran, North Korea and other allies for more weapons and drones.

Russia experts of course have told Putin that wasting soldier's lives will not change anything on the battle field.

Botragelad:

So, Russia's done a cracking job of trying to take Kyiv, haven't they? I mean, who needs to actually win a war when you can just keep fighting for years and losing loads of soldiers?

And Ukraine have been taking out Russia's missiles top. Meanwhile, Putin's over there in his Bunker, begging Iran for scraps. What's the point of your rant?lol

Ojiofor:


Putin cry to no one..He buys all his weapons or exchage them for essential goods to those countries unlike Ukro Nazis that depends on charity to fight a super power.

Justnation:






Ignorance and poor information is your problem.
CNN and BBC have done evil to the black people through dubious propaganda.
You are believing their lies.

If Russia fire 100 missiles they will tell you that Ukraine downed 99, yet Ukraine is now using generator everywhere and relying on massive infrastructure support from neighbors.

They will tell you that Russia has lost over 1 million soldiers and you believe, how many Ukraine have lost they keep mute, yet Ukraine is now enlisting women and young boys l.
They will tell you that Ukraine has taken a major Russian city, yet Kursk in small settlement and outskirts.

Stop listening to lies, Russia remains Russia.

Let Trump take over and stop this senseless war.
We need peace, zelensky the comedian should be removed quickly

Justnation:






Ignorance and poor information is your problem.
CNN and BBC have done evil to the black people through dubious propaganda.
You are believing their lies.

If Russia fire 100 missiles they will tell you that Ukraine downed 99, yet Ukraine is now using generator everywhere and relying on massive infrastructure support from neighbors.

They will tell you that Russia has lost over 1 million soldiers and you believe, how many Ukraine have lost they keep mute, yet Ukraine is now enlisting women and young boys l.
They will tell you that Ukraine has taken a major Russian city, yet Kursk in small settlement and outskirts.

Stop listening to lies, Russia remains Russia.

Let Trump take over and stop this senseless war.
We need peace, zelensky the comedian should be removed quickly

Botragelad:

"The Russians had asked for more drones and those Iranian ballistic missiles with improved accuracy, particularly the Fateh and Zolfaghar missiles family,"said one of the Iranian diplomats, who was briefed about the trip.

https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-iran-agrees-ship-missiles-more-drones-russia-defying-west-sources-2022-10-18/

Do you take me for a mug who'll lap up your propaganda without question? Putin's begging bowl is out, and he's pleading with Iran for drones, but you're trying to peddle a different story.

The truth is plain to see, so cut the claptrap and get real with yourself!😂

Botragelad:

Blah blah blah. Easy to spot a Putin fanboy. You don't want Ukraine to strike Russia, but Putin has been doing worse for the past few years.

Are you confused?

Justnation:




I don't know why your brain refuses to work normal, can you compare what Putin is doing today to what America have been doing over the world including in Africa?.

Because your oppressors condemned Russia you quickly buy their position.
Please wake up

Ojiofor:


It is called trade for mutual benefit.Iran supply Russia weapons in exchange for Wheat and corn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppnvDjvGtFc

Botragelad:

Are you kidding me? Instead of making a sensible point, you're just trying to pin your own issues on me?

Put your numbers where your mouth is! If you're claiming the BBC is spouting lies, give us some concrete evidence to back it up. Don't just spew a load of rubbish without providing any facts to counter it. It seems to me you're just fabricating lies and propaganda in your head and then accuse others of spreading falsehoods that doesn't exist. Lol

If you need peace, tell Putin to leave Ukraine!

Justnation:




I don't know why your brain refuses to work normal, can you compare what Putin is doing today to what America have been doing over the world including in Africa?.

Because your oppressors condemned Russia you quickly buy their position.
Please wake up

Botragelad:

Good. That's what Ukraine Is doing. Trade for mutual benefit, according to you! 😂

Justnation:




Mumu, you think by talking like a slave America will give you visa.