U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly considering clearing the way for Kyiv to launch long-range strikes inside Russian territory, provided the weapons are not of American origin. The shift coincides with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to the White House, and could set a new precedent in Western military support to the invaded country.
The central focus of the discussions revolves around Britain’s “Storm Shadow” missiles, which have the potential to strike far beyond the Ukrainian border, deep into Russia. The U.K. has expressed a willingness to let Kyiv use them, but not without the explicit approval of the United States. The optics of coordination between Washington, London, and Paris are critical, as France also produces a missile of similar capability. For now, Biden has remained undecided, but the visit of Starmer is expected to be a key moment for any decision.
“We are working that out right now,” Biden said earlier this week when asked about the growing demands from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
What complicates the matter is the potential ripple effect. While allowing Ukraine to make deeper incursions into Russian-held territory may help it secure strategic advantages, intelligence agencies warn that such moves could provoke Russia into retaliating indirectly—perhaps by offering technological assistance to Iran in targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East. Moscow has, in the past, shown restraint in responding to Ukraine’s growing military capabilities, but recent developments suggest that Putin’s patience may be wearing thin.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered one of his starkest warnings to date. He claimed that Ukrainian forces lacked the ability to operate long-range missiles without Western technical support, and that NATO’s involvement in such operations would mean war. “If this is the case,” Putin said, “then we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats posed to us.” The rhetoric from Moscow is not new, but the stakes have risen.
Biden’s reluctance to cross what have been referred to as Putin’s “red lines” has been a theme throughout the conflict. At earlier stages of the war, Washington hesitated to provide HIMARS artillery, M1 Abrams tanks, and F-16 jets to Ukraine. Each time, fears of escalation proved to be overstated, leading to further U.S. support.
A critical factor in the decision-making process has been Ukraine’s recent incursions into Russian territory, including the Kursk region. Despite fears of a Russian overreaction, these strikes have not triggered the kind of escalation many had feared. Ukrainian officials argue that this proves Moscow’s threats are bluffs and have urged their American counterparts to grant permission for deeper strikes using U.S. weaponry. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after meeting with Zelensky and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, confirmed that long-range capabilities were a key topic of discussion.
Behind the scenes, there is also increasing pressure from some U.S. political figures. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has advocated for a more aggressive approach, contrasting sharply with Donald Trump’s reluctance to support Ukraine unequivocally.
A group of 17 former ambassadors and generals penned an open letter this week, arguing that “easing the restrictions on Western weapons will not cause Moscow to escalate,” as Ukraine has already targeted Crimea and Kursk with Western equipment. So far, Russia’s response has remained consistent, suggesting that more flexibility in the West’s support for Kyiv could help tilt the battlefield without triggering a larger conflict.
Still, there are logistical challenges to consider. U.S. stockpiles of long-range missiles are dwindling, and American officials worry that even if the green light is given, the sheer number of missiles available may not be enough to tip the scales decisively. Moreover, Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have been probing Ukraine’s military leadership on which specific Russian sites they would target, making sure they are focused on military rather than civilian infrastructure.
