
United States (US) President Joe Biden said on Friday (Sept 13) that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not prevail in his war with Ukraine. During a meeting at the White House with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Biden said that the US was committed to standing with the UK to help Ukraine.
“The United States is committed to standing with you to help Ukraine as a defence against Russia's onslaught and aggression and be clear, make it clear thatPutinwill not prevail in this war and the people of Ukraine will prevail,” Biden said.
Starmer, meanwhile, said, "...with Ukraine, where I think the next few weeks and months could be crucial. Very, very important that we support Ukraine in this vital war of freedom.”
The two leadersdiscussed the next steps in supporting Ukraine, centring on whether to allow Western missiles to be used to hit targets in Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyhas been pleading with allies for months to let Ukraine fire Western missiles including long-range USATACMS and British Storm Shadows deep into Russia to limit Moscow's ability to launch attacks.
As American and British officialsdiscussed allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike deep within Russia, some US officials were scepticalthat doing so would make a significant difference in Kyiv's battle against Russian invaders.
USofficials noted that Ukraine already has the capability to hit targets in Russia using drones. TheATACMS missiles would enhance that capability, but they are too costly and limited in number to reshape the dynamic, they said.
Moreover, the Kremlin has largely moved perhaps the most immediate threat -- Russian warplanes launching glide bombs -- beyond the range of the U.S. missiles, the officials added.