Friday Briefing: U.S. May Let Ukraine Use Long-range Weapons

President Biden appeared on the verge of approving Ukraine’s use of long-range Western weapons on targets deep inside Russian territory on the condition that it doesn’t use arms provided by the U.S., according to European officials.

Biden is expected to discuss the issue today when he meets with Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, in Washington. Britain has signaled that it wants to grant Ukraine that permission for its own long-range missiles, but it wanted the White House to sign off in order to show a unified strategy with France and the U.S.

If Biden approves, the move could help Ukraine hold the line after it seizes Russian territory.

Kremlin reaction: PresidentVladimir Putin warned yesterday that Russia would “make appropriate decisions” in response to the Western move. “This will mean that NATO countries — the United States and European countries — are at war with Russia,” he said.

Context: Kyiv has argued for months that long-range weapons are necessary to target more Russian military sites. The Biden administration has so far hesitated, wary of provoking Moscow, particularly after warnings from U.S. intelligence that Russia could respond by aiding Iran in targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East.

On the ground: Three Red Cross workers were killed and two were wounded when artillery fire struck a frontline aid distribution site in eastern Ukraine.