UK’s Starmer: Long-Range Strikes into Russia is Just One Component of Kyiv’s Strategy for Victory
Zelenskyy is scheduled to present Kyiv’s long-awaited strategy to President Biden later this week.
According to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the use of Western long-range missile systems to attack targets inside Russia is just one part of Kyiv’s comprehensive “victory plan.”
Starmer expressed on Sept. 24 that he believes the victory plan will not solely focus on long-range missiles.
This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to unveil Kyiv’s strategy to defeat Russia to U.S. President Joe Biden after 2 1/2 years of conflict.
While the specifics of the plan are still unclear, it is expected to include a plea for increased Western assistance for Ukraine’s war efforts.
Many analysts speculate that this may involve granting Kyiv’s longstanding request to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to target deep within Russian territory.
Starmer did not provide many details but mentioned that Kyiv’s plan will offer “a strategic, overarching route for Ukraine to navigate through and triumph against Russian aggression.”
“We will always carefully consider what Ukraine deems necessary in terms of capability,” Starmer stated to reporters en route to a U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.
There has been increasing speculation in recent days about whether the United States and other key supporters will authorize Ukraine to use Western weaponry for “deep strikes” into Russian territory.
As of now, the White House has not given its approval for this action.
Previously, Starmer and Biden had discussions at the White House in September about this issue, but it remains unclear whether a decision was made.
Biden mentioned on Sept. 22 that a final decision had not been reached yet.
Starmer intends to engage in further discussions with U.S. officials this week about approving Kyiv’s use of long-range weapons against Russian targets.
“We will have conversations on a wide range of topics,” Starmer informed reporters while traveling to New York.
“We will pay close attention to what President Zelenskyy has to say. That is what will occur in the upcoming days,” he added.
Within this context, Zelenskyy mentioned plans to meet separately this week with Biden, Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Our decision hinges on their willingness,” he remarked on Sept. 24.
Since the previous year, the UK has provided Kyiv with Storm Shadow missile systems, and the United States has supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems.
These missile systems have been utilized by Kyiv to target Russian positions in Crimea and within Ukraine, but not within Russia itself.
As Russian forces advance in the east, Kyiv aims to utilize long-range missiles to attack airfields, armories, and other military sites inside Russia.
The Kremlin has cautioned that this action would make Kyiv’s NATO-supporting allies tacitly involved in the ongoing conflict.
Despite Moscow’s warnings, some European allies of Kyiv, including Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, have expressed support for this move.
“I don’t believe Ukraine can triumph with one hand tied behind their back,” stated Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in an interview alongside Zelenskyy.
She further emphasized that Kyiv’s allies should not withhold providing Ukraine with the necessary resources to achieve victory in this war.
