No New Commitments on Ukraine Missiles After Starmer-Biden Meeting

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently engaged in “productive” discussions with US President Joe Biden concerning Ukraine, but no new decisions were made about allowing Kyiv to deploy long-range missiles into Russia. Sir Keir characterized the talks in Washington as focusing on broader “strategy” rather than specific actions or tactics.

The White House also noted that the leaders shared “deep concern” about Iran and North Korea supplying lethal weapons to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had launched over 70 Iranian-made drones into Ukraine overnight, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced air defense and long-range capabilities to safeguard Ukrainian lives. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is working with its partners to address these needs.

Before the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned Western nations against permitting Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia, warning that such actions would constitute direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, criticized the ongoing debate over missile capabilities, suggesting that indecision only benefits the Russian president. Wallace expressed frustration over the continuous discussions and delays in providing Ukraine with necessary support.

Kurt Volker, former US special representative for Ukraine negotiations, argued that Putin’s warnings are intended to deter Western actions rather than reflecting actual intentions or strategic considerations. Volker suggested that the US might be exaggerating the potential for escalation, thereby overemphasizing the impact of new military capabilities on the conflict.

In a pre-meeting statement, President Biden dismissed concerns about Putin’s threats, stating, “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin.” The US and UK have so far refrained from granting Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles against targets within Russia, citing fears of escalating the conflict. Despite this, Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western allies to authorize such strikes, arguing they are crucial for bringing an end to the war.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Ukrainian cities and military positions have been subjected to relentless bombardment by Russian forces. Many of these attacks originate from deep within Russia, with missiles and glide bombs targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas. Kyiv argues that the inability to strike these launch sites hampers its defensive capabilities.

The UK has previously stated that Ukraine has a “clear right” to use British-supplied weapons for “self-defence,” which could technically include operations within Russia. However, this stance does not extend to long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which remain restricted from use against targets beyond Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Similarly, while the US provided long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this year, their use has not been authorized against deep Russian targets.

Regarding Putin’s threats of potential NATO involvement, Sir Keir emphasized that resolving the conflict in Ukraine depends on Russian actions rather than external pressures. The meeting with Biden was framed as an opportunity to discuss strategic approaches rather than immediate tactical decisions. The two leaders also touched upon the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and other global issues, with plans for further discussions at the United Nations General Assembly next week.

In a separate development, the US National Security Council’s John Kirby confirmed that there would be no changes to the existing limitations on Ukraine’s use of US-made weapons to target Russian territory. Meanwhile, Russia expelled six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage and involvement in efforts to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia. The UK Foreign Office dismissed these claims as “completely baseless.”

UK defence analyst Justin Crump suggested that Putin’s actions are aimed at testing both the new Labour government in the UK and the outgoing Biden administration. Crump noted that Russia’s involvement in activities like subversion and espionage against NATO members could escalate, though engaging in direct conflict with NATO is not a feasible option for Russia given its struggles in Ukraine.

Additionally, the US announced new sanctions against the Russian media outlet RT, accusing it of functioning as a “de facto arm of Russia’s intelligence apparatus.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described RT as part of a network designed to undermine democratic processes in the United States. In response, RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan defended the network, highlighting its connections with US educational institutions. Russia’s foreign ministry suggested a new profession in the US focused on sanctions against Russia.