US says ‘no change’ in long-range missiles policy even as Zelensky fumes over delay

The United States is not expected to announce a change in its policy regarding the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine against Russia, the White House announced Friday (Sep 13).

"There is no change to our view on the provision of long range strike capabilities for Ukraine to use inside of Russia," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "I would not expect any major announcement in that regard," he added ahead of the meeting between President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Zelensky fumes

The announcement comes even as Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky earlier said it was “difficult to hear” from Western allies that they were deliberating upon the matter as Russian leader Vladimir Putin burnt down “our cities and villages.”

“Putin interprets delays in helping us and in making strong decisions for Ukraine as permission to do whatever he wants,” Zelensky wrote on X.

Zelensky has been pleading with Washingtonfor months to let Kyiv forces use long-range missiles for strikes deep inside Russia.

UK PM has now flown to Washington DC, where he said he would raise the matter with the US president.

During a visit to Kyiv earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had also assured Zelensky that the matter would be raised before Biden.

Putin’s threat

Earlier, Putin had sounded alarm over NATO’s plans to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons, saying such a move would put the US-led military alliancedirectly at war with Russia.

He claimed the programming of Western missiles would have to be done by NATO military personnel - bringing the organisation into direct confrontation

Ukraine secures the return of 49 people from Russia

Zelensky on Friday said Ukraine had secured the release of 49 Ukrainians from Russian captivity.

“We must bring home all our soldiers and civilians,” he declared on the Telegram messaging app.

He also revealed that servicemen from the armed forces, the National Guard, the police and the Border Guard service were included in the latest swap.

(With inputs from agencies)

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