KIEV, Sep 11 (Askume) – The foreign ministers of the United States and Britain met President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, amid a visit that was cut short by an airstrike warning. They accused Russia of violating Ukraine’s policies.Revealed new support for unsuccessful long-range attacks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in Kyiv they discussed Ukraine’s war goals and what assistance could be provided at a critical moment in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
“We discussed, among other things, long-range fires, but we also discussed a number of other issues,” Blinken told reporters. “I will report back on my position.”
Zelensky has for months urged Kiev’s allies to allow Ukraine to launch Western missiles, including US long-range missiles and British Storm Shadow missiles, into Russian territory to limit Moscow’s strike capabilities.
“We are listening carefully and, of course, we are discussing a number of issues, including military equipment that Ukraine needs to ensure victory,” Lamy said at a news conference with Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Tsibiha.
The British foreign secretary said these discussions were likely to continue for several more weeks, a comment that will disappoint Ukrainians who hope the West will soon abandon concerns about escalating tensions.
Before the press conference, Zelenskyy was asked if he was optimistic that the United States and Britain would approve a deeper attack on Russia, which he teased was due to the “optimism” of Ukrainian partners.
“We have to rely on at least some strong decisions. Today is a very important day for us,” he told reporters in Kiev.
Zelenskyy described the talks as “long and fruitful” in comments posted on his Telegram channel.
“All major issues were discussed,” he wrote.
“It is vital that all of Ukraine’s arguments are heard. This includes long-range weapons, resupply of our frontline brigades and pursuing a common strategy towards a strategically just peace.”
Washington and some European countries are concerned that lifting the ban on long-range strikes could push Russia into direct conflict with the West, and Ukraine is also concerned that if it were lifted, war could benefit it.
Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Moscow would consider the United States and its allies as war partners if Kiev was allowed to use long-range weapons inside Russia.
scope for agreement
Overnight, US President Joe Biden indicated there was scope for agreement, saying his administration was “working on it” when asked if the US would lift its ban on the use of long-range weapons.
During Blinken and Lamy’s visit to Kyiv, air raid warnings were issued twice – before and after the press conference. The wreath-laying ceremony he was scheduled to attend was cancelled.
Both warnings appeared to have been issued because of ballistic missile threats, but it was unclear who the missiles were targeting or what happened to them.
Blinken announced more than $700 million in aid to Ukraine. Lammy said the UK would provide an additional 600 million pounds ($781 million) .
Two and a half years after the invasion, Russian forces are slowly advancing in the east while Kiev’s troops try to capture western Russia in a surprise attack last month.
After initially making rapid progress, military advances in Ukraine have stalled, a senior Russian commander said on Wednesday as his forcesControl has been regained over about 10 settlements .
Ukraine has not yet commented on the latest developments reported in Russia. Askume could not independently verify the activity on the battlefield.
Later this month, Zelensky will travel to the United States to addressBiden and his two potential successors in November’s presidential election have proposed a plan they hope will end the war.
