What's happened
U.S. officials are urging Ukraine to clarify its combat objectives as President Biden prepares to meet with President Zelenskyy. Ukraine seeks permission to use long-range weapons against Russian targets, amid increasing drone attacks from Russia. NATO allies are pushing for more autonomy in Ukraine's military strategy.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Lolita C. Baldor from The Independent, U.S. officials are concerned about the implications of loosening restrictions on long-range weapons for Ukraine. They emphasize that while Ukraine has demonstrated its capability with drones, the U.S. remains cautious about escalating the conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak argues that targeting Russian military bases is essential for a swift resolution to the conflict, as reported by the South China Morning Post. This sentiment is echoed by other Ukrainian officials who stress the need for enhanced air defense and long-range capabilities to protect their territory. The discussions between Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicate a growing urgency among Western allies to reassess their military support for Ukraine, as noted in multiple reports.
How we got here
Ukraine has been requesting expanded use of Western-provided long-range weapons to target deeper into Russian territory. This comes as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, particularly on energy infrastructure, ahead of winter.
More on these topics
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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.
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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
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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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
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Andriy Borisovich Yermak is a Ukrainian film producer, lawyer and current Head of the Presidential Administration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed him on 11 February 2020.
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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.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.