Biden, Starmer Discuss Ukraine Missiles Amid Rising Russia Tensions

AFP/APP

Washington: US President Joe Biden downplayed Russian threats of war during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, focusing on discussions about whether Ukraine should be allowed to fire Western-supplied long-range missiles into Russia.

Biden addressed reporters at the White House, stating, “I don’t think much about Vladimir Putin,” in response to concerns that providing Kyiv with the green light to use long-range missiles could escalate NATO’s involvement with Moscow.

Starmer aimed to persuade Biden to support sending British Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine to target deeper inside Russia amid growing concerns over the battlefield situation.

Starmer emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine, describing the coming weeks as “crucial” for the nation’s struggle for freedom. However, Biden is anticipated to reject Ukraine’s request for US-made ATACMS missiles, citing concerns that these missiles would have limited impact and that depleting US stockpiles could be problematic.

White House Stance and Zelensky’s Appeal

The White House suggested that no major decisions were expected from the discussions, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby indicating that no significant announcements were anticipated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the West for not doing enough, claiming that Western reluctance to assist Ukraine in intercepting missiles contrasts with support provided to Israel. Zelensky also plans to meet with Biden later this month to present his “victory plan” to end the ongoing conflict.

Russia’s Response and Diplomatic Tensions

Tensions have risen with Russia, which has reacted strongly to the potential supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine. Russia revoked the credentials of six British diplomats, accusing them of espionage, a claim that London has dismissed as baseless.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia have warned that supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons could lead to direct conflict between NATO and Russia, a nuclear power.

US Election Impact

The upcoming US presidential election adds another layer of uncertainty. President Biden is nearing the end of his term, and the election will decide between his Democratic successor Kamala Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump.

Trump has expressed a desire to end the war quickly but has been criticized for his favorable comments about Putin and his ambiguous stance on Ukraine. Biden, while supportive of Ukraine, has been cautious about escalating military aid, a stance that mirrors his cautious approach to other advanced weapon systems.

Harris has committed to maintaining strong support for Ukraine if elected.