What's happened
As of August 31, 2024, Ukraine's leadership is urging Western allies to lift restrictions on using long-range missiles against Russian targets. This comes amid ongoing military tensions and differing opinions among allies regarding the escalation of military support for Ukraine.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Politico, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated, "The weaponry that we are providing to Ukraine has to have full use," advocating for lifting restrictions on strikes against Russian targets. This sentiment was echoed by Kuleba, who urged EU ministers to persuade the US to allow deeper strikes, emphasizing that failure to do so could lead to a Russian victory.
Conversely, Business Insider UK highlights the US's cautious stance, noting that the Biden administration fears escalation if Ukraine uses Western missiles on Russian soil. Maximilian Hess from the Foreign Policy Research Institute remarked that the US's interpretation of Russia's red lines may be overly cautious, suggesting that the risks of escalation are overstated. This reflects a broader divide among Western allies regarding military strategy in the ongoing conflict.
How we got here
Ukraine has been engaged in conflict with Russia since 2014, with increased hostilities following Russia's invasion in 2022. Western allies have provided military support but have imposed restrictions on the use of certain weapons, particularly regarding strikes on Russian territory.
More on these topics
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French low-observable air-launched cruise missile, developed since 1994 by Matra and British Aerospace, and now manufactured by MBDA. Storm Shadow is the British name for the weapon; in French service it is called SCALP EG.