U.S. is discussing lifting ban on Ukrainian strikes inside Russia - Biden

The agency highlighted the U.S. reluctancy to supply or authorize the use of weapons capable of striking deep inside Russia, as it could lead to an escalation of the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier suggested that Joe Biden may discuss allowing Ukrainian forces to strike within Russia at a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The use of Western weapons for strikes on Russian territory

On Aug. 16, the British publication The Times, citing a government source, reported that the U.S. was effectively blocking Ukraine from using Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russian territory. The UK had sent a request to the U.S. over a month earlier regarding this decision, but no response was received. The White House denied this information.

On Aug. 19, President Zelensky said that if Western partners removed all existing restrictions on using long-range weapons against Russian territory, Ukraine wouldn't need to launch an offensive in Kursk Oblast. He also stressed that Ukraine needs missiles, as not all targets in Russia can be hit with drones.

On Aug. 27, Politico reported that Ukrainian officials were preparing to present a list of potential targets in Russia to senior White House officials.

On Aug. 29, the EU's High Representative Josep Borrell said there was no common decision on the restrictions on Ukraine using weapons, and that each country must make its own decision.

On Sept. 6, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine already has "quite serious capabilities" to strike targets "far beyond the range of ATACMS or Storm Shadow missiles."