Washington and London promise to respond “urgently” to Ukraine's military demands

The heads of American and British diplomacy promised Kiev on Wednesday to respond “urgently” to Ukraine's demands, which include being able to strike deep into Russian territory with Western missiles.

This visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart David Lammy comes at a delicate time for Ukraine, with its forces struggling on the Eastern front, despite a surprise offensive launched in early August in the Russian region of Kursk.

To counter the Russian advance, kyiv is constantly demanding authorization to strike targets further away in Russia using long-range missiles supplied to it by the West, while Moscow is accused of having received ballistic missiles from Iran.

“We are working urgently to continue to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself effectively,” Blinken said at a news conference, adding that US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would discuss the issue together on Friday.

“Our support will not waver, our unity will not break,” Blinken added, saying he saw the visit as a sign of commitment to Ukraine's “victory.”

At his side, his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga called for “lifting all restrictions on the use of American and British weapons against legitimate military targets in Russia.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had “very substantive” talks with Mr. Blinken and Mr. Lammy and “discussed all the essential issues.” “It is important that the Ukrainian arguments are heard,” he said.

Mr Zelensky had stressed earlier on Wednesday that his country's “victory” in the war depended “essentially” on the United States.

Mr. Blinken also announced on Wednesday a new aid of 717 million dollars for the Ukrainian energy sector, devastated by Russian bombings, the supply of drinking water and mine clearance.

– “Hundreds” of anti-aircraft missiles –

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (l) and his British counterpart David Lammy (r) in kyiv on September 11, 2024 © POOL – Leon Neal

David Lammy, whose two-month-old Labour government has pledged to remain one of Ukraine's main supporters, has promised to deliver “hundreds” of anti-aircraft missiles, tens of thousands of artillery shells and armoured vehicles by the end of the year.

He reiterated his government's commitment to provide £600 million (€710 million) in economic aid to kyiv.

Ukraine also received some good financial news on Tuesday, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announcing an agreement opening the door to the release of a new tranche of aid of $1.1 billion.

Western countries, including the United States, have so far refused to give the green light to deep strikes on Russian territory, fearing an escalation that could lead to a direct conflict with Moscow.

The Pentagon had also estimated that such authorization would not be “decisive” in reversing the course of the war.

Asked about this in Washington, American President Joe Biden assured that he was “thinking about it right now” on the issue. Mr. Blinken had said he “did not rule out” a green light.

The Kremlin warned on Wednesday that Russia would provide an “appropriate” response if Ukraine were authorized to use these weapons against its territory.

– Iranian missiles –

Ukraine also called on its neighbors on Wednesday to shoot down Russian missiles and drones when they fly over the west of the country, as during a recent strike on the city of Lviv.

“The Russians (…) are increasingly striking facilities close to the NATO border,” argued the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andrii Sybiga, calling for a “common, firm and decisive response.”

Lithuania, a major supporter of Ukraine, considered that NATO planes stationed in the Baltic countries should shoot down Russian drones in the airspace of its country and its neighbors, after several recent incidents involving aircraft fired by Moscow.

The debate over restrictions on missiles delivered to Ukraine comes as Washington warned this week that Iran is delivering short-range missiles to Russia, which could use them to strike Ukrainian territory in the coming weeks.

The United Kingdom summoned Iran's charge d'affaires in London on Wednesday to protest the alleged delivery.

A cruise missile Franco-British Storm Shadow/Scalp at the Farnborough Air Show near London on July 22, 2024 © AFP – JUSTIN TALLIS

According to British media, Mr. Biden, who will meet the British Prime Minister on Friday, is expected to lift the American veto on Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles supplied by London against targets in Russia.

One of Ukraine's main demands, however, is to ease restrictions on the use of American ATACMS tactical missile systems, which can reach targets 300 kilometers away.

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