Ukraine’s Plea for Long-Range Weapons Sparks Tensions as West Debates Response
Moscow, September 16, 2024 – Theongoing conflict in Ukraine has taken a new turn as Kyiv intensifies its calls for Western nations to lift restrictions on using long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory.This demand has sparked a heated debate within the West, with some countries showing signs of softening their stance while others remain firmly opposed. Meanwhile, Russia has issued a stern warning, threatening to respond with force if such a move is made.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with CNN on September 15, revealed that Ukraine has been lobbying the US government to authorize the use of American-suppliedlong-range weapons against Russian targets. However, he acknowledged that such authorization has not been granted yet.
Adding fuel to the fire, a report from Bloomberg on September 15 indicated that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to meetwith Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on September 16 to discuss a proposal allowing Ukraine to use British Storm Shadow cruise missiles on Russian soil. British officials are also expected to hold talks with French and German counterparts in the coming days regarding the same issue.
The report further revealed that Sunak andUS President Joe Biden discussed the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles equipped with US navigation data to strike Russian territory during their meeting in Washington last week. However, no decision was reached at that time.
Adding pressure, five former UK defense ministers, including Liam Fox and Gavin Williamson, along withformer Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have publicly urged Sunak to authorize the use of Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets, even without US support. Fox claimed that this would be a way for the UK to demonstrate its global leadership in supporting Ukraine.
However, the West remains divided on this issue.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a statement on September 14, declared that Germany will not provide long-range weapons to Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory, citing concerns over further escalation of the conflict. He also rejected providing Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. Scholz emphasized that he will maintain this position even if othercountries make different decisions.
Responding to these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning. He stated that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory would signify direct involvement of NATO countries in the conflict, fundamentally altering its nature. He declared that Russia would take appropriate decisions based on the threat posed.
Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian president, echoed Putin’s concerns, stating that the relevant discussions have already been extensive and that Putin has always been cautious on this matter.
Thomas Lepper, a German war correspondent, expressed his view that the situationis already on the brink of a wider conflict. He argued that if Russia were to assist a country at war with the US in attacking American territory, it would be considered an act of war. He believes that the West has been involved in the conflict for a long time and questioned whether the risks of a major world war are worthtaking.
The debate over long-range weapons is a significant development in the ongoing conflict. It highlights the increasing tension between Russia and the West, with the potential for escalation hanging in the balance. The decision of Western nations to authorize or prohibit the use of long-range weapons will have far-reaching consequences, potentially shaping the future of the conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Views: 0