Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Washington next Thursday for discussions with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The talks aim to advocate for Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Biden expressed his eagerness to welcome Zelenskyy, stating on X, “During his visit, I’ll reaffirm America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends its freedom and independence.” However, the Biden administration remains cautious about granting Ukraine the authority to launch long-range missiles into Russia. U.S. officials are seeking clearer information from Kyiv on how it intends to use these weapons and how they align with its overall war strategy.
Concerns persist within the administration that easing restrictions on long-range weapons may carry significant risks and limited effectiveness. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any such move would equate to a declaration of war against the U.S. and its NATO allies.
Despite these hesitations, U.S. defense officials note that Ukraine is already utilizing its long-range drones to target sites further inside Russia.
Zelenskyy will also have a separate meeting with Harris, who is positioned to succeed Biden. Their last meeting took place in July during an international event in Switzerland. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has pledged to quickly resolve the conflict if he wins the upcoming election, with his running mate, Senator JD Vance, suggesting plans for a “demilitarized zone” that would prevent Ukraine from reclaiming occupied territories and joining NATO.
