The United States is preparing to send a significant aid package to Ukraine in the coming weeks, as discussions continue over whether Ukrainian forces should be allowed to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this month to discuss the situation and provide further support.
Sullivan emphasised the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy for Ukraine’s success in the ongoing war. He conveyed that Zelenskyy is working toward such a strategy, and President Biden is eager to engage in this conversation.
Sullivan’s remarks were delivered via videolink at the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv, where he reiterated Washington’s commitment to assisting Ukraine.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has lasted over 25 months. During this time, Ukrainian forces have faced increasing challenges, particularly in the eastern region near Pokrovsk, a critical transit hub.
Sullivan expressed concern about recent developments in the area and stressed that the U.S. is working to position Ukraine in the best possible way to succeed in the remaining months of Biden’s presidency. Biden’s term is set to end in January, and he is not seeking re-election.
Zelenskyy has consistently advocated for the war’s resolution through negotiations and has called on Western allies, including the U.S., to strengthen Ukraine’s position in these talks. Sullivan echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Ukraine needs to be strong in any future negotiations to achieve a favourable outcome.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed strong opposition to the idea of Ukraine using Western-supplied long-range weapons to attack Russian territory.
Putin warned that if Western nations, including the U.S. and NATO, permit Ukraine to launch such strikes, it would signify their direct involvement in the conflict, which would fundamentally alter the nature of the war.
Putin’s concerns stem from the potential escalation that would arise if Ukraine were allowed to strike with Western-made long-range precision weapons. He claimed that, while the Ukrainian army has been carrying out strikes using drones and other means, the use of advanced Western weapons would mark a new phase in the conflict.
During a recent media appearance, Putin reiterated that Russia would make “appropriate decisions” if it perceived these long-range strikes as a direct threat. He argued that allowing Ukraine to strike Russian targets would effectively make Western countries, including the U.S. and European nations, parties to the war. In his view, this would mean their direct involvement in the conflict, significantly escalating tensions.
The prospect of deeper Western involvement in the war has raised concerns, with many analysts warning that such actions could lead to a broader and more dangerous confrontation between Russia and NATO. The conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of Ukrainians, continues to pose a major challenge to international stability.
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