What's happened
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to press Western allies for permission to use long-range missiles against Russian targets. Despite ongoing discussions, US and UK leaders have yet to reach a decision, amid fears of escalating conflict with Russia, which has warned that such actions would signify a direct war with NATO.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Zelensky has been vocal about the need for long-range missiles, stating, "Putin will continue to destroy us... We will lose thousands of schools and tens of thousands of lives." Meanwhile, The Guardian highlights the delicate nature of Biden's decision, noting that the use of such missiles could change the conflict's nature significantly. David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, emphasized that the West will not be intimidated by Putin's threats, stating, "What he should now do is cease his aggression and leave Ukraine." This sentiment is echoed across various sources, indicating a growing consensus on the need for stronger support for Ukraine while navigating the risks of escalation.
How we got here
Zelensky has been advocating for the use of US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles for months. The ongoing conflict has prompted Ukraine to seek deeper military support from its allies to counter Russian aggression, particularly as attacks on civilian areas escalate.
Common question
-
Why is Zelensky Asking for Long-Range Missiles?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is actively seeking long-range missiles from Western allies to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. This request raises important questions about the implications for the ongoing conflict, the responses from Western nations, and the potential reactions from Russia. Here’s what you need to know.
More on these topics
-
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
-
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
-
David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.
-
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
-
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
-
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
-
Sevastopol is the largest city in Crimea and a major port on the Black Sea. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Sevastopol has been administered as a federal city of the Russian Federation.