Britain, the US, and France signal stronger military support for Ukraine, reportedly allowing Kyiv to strike targets inside Russia as the war approaches its third year.
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine, joining the United States and France in reportedly permitting the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to target sites within Russian territory. The move comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to push for expanded capabilities to counter airstrikes and gain an advantage in the protracted conflict.
Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson emphasized Britain’s “full backing” for Ukraine during a televised interview, highlighting the government’s commitment to assisting Kyiv’s military efforts. “The Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary are reviewing what the Ukrainian forces require,” she said, adding that Ukraine has endured “unimaginable hardship” and deserves robust international support.
Reports from Paris and Washington suggest that this policy shift follows US President Joe Biden’s approval for Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for strikes inside Russia. This includes the Advanced Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has been paired with British Storm Shadow and French Scalp missiles to form a new arsenal aimed at slowing Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the decision as a necessary step, stating, “If striking targets inside Russia can help defend Ukrainian sovereignty and stop aggression, we are open to this consideration.” Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of providing Ukraine with tools to counter the source of attacks on its territory.
The Kremlin, however, has condemned the move, accusing the West of escalating the conflict and intensifying hostilities. Russian officials warned that allowing Ukraine to strike within its borders could have severe repercussions, deepening the war’s already devastating toll.
The military and strategic impact of deploying long-range weapons could be profound. Ukrainian forces, currently holding parts of the Kursk region in Russia after a summer offensive, might leverage the missiles to hinder Moscow’s attempts to reclaim the territory. Such actions could alter the war’s trajectory, bolstering Kyiv’s position in any future negotiations, especially as Donald Trump prepares to assume the U.S. presidency in January. Trump has controversially claimed he could broker peace within a day, though critics suggest this would involve territorial concessions to Russia.
President Zelensky has repeatedly argued for “long-range capabilities” as a cornerstone of his strategy to reclaim occupied lands and protect Ukrainian cities from relentless Russian air assaults. Speaking candidly, Zelensky said, “The bases from which Russia launches attacks must be neutralized. Long-range strikes are critical to our victory plan.”
Despite this new military backing, divisions within the Western alliance persist. Reports in French newspaper Le Figaro indicated that both the UK and France have given explicit consent for their weapons to be used for strikes within Russia, though officials in London and Paris have not publicly confirmed these claims. When questioned, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson deferred, stating, “Any such announcements would come directly from the Prime Minister or Defence Secretary.”
Meanwhile, the humanitarian cost of the war continues to mount. In Ukraine, a Russian missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy left 11 dead, including two children, and injured nearly 90 others. A separate attack on the region’s power grid plunged communities into darkness, compounding the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
As the conflict approaches 1,000 days, Western leaders remain resolute in their support. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, en route to a G20 summit, called for a doubling of efforts to aid Ukraine. “This issue is top of the agenda,” he stated, stressing the importance of maintaining unity among allies.
For Ukraine, the ability to launch strikes deeper into Russian-held territory may represent a pivotal moment in the war. Yet, as weapons fire intensifies and diplomatic solutions remain elusive, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges and uncertainty.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved.