Western countries, in particular the United States and its European allies, continue to discuss the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. At the same time, they push Kyiv to develop a realistic plan for the next year of the war, which would take into account the objective possibilities of achieving goals on the battlefield. About this writes The Wall Street Journal with reference to sources among Western and American officials.
In particular, the United States and Europe continue to support President Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s goal of returning the entire territory of Ukraine. However, given the decline in public support in some Western countries and Russia’s gradual gains on the front, some European diplomats are urging Ukraine to be more pragmatic in its goals. This, they believe, will help maintain support for the supply of arms and other aid from Western governments.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy will arrive in Ukraine this week to discuss further steps regarding military aid and determine the criteria for Ukraine’s victory. Previously, several high-ranking officials from the US and Europe visited Kyiv, which indicates the presence of a certain tension between Ukrainian aspirations and Western realistic assessments of the costs and duration of the war.
European officials have warned Kyiv that to achieve complete victory, Ukraine will need huge financial infusions from the West — sums that could be overwhelming for the US and Europe. Blinken emphasized that his visit is partly aimed at discussing the needs of Ukraine and how the West can effectively support these needs.
It is also possible to approach a decision on the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike Russian targets, but there is no final decision yet. Representatives of Washington assure that the purpose of the visit is not to force Ukraine to negotiate, but to find the best ways to support it in the war.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the outcome of the war and possible negotiations will be determined by the Ukrainian leadership, in particular President Zelensky.
