Understanding of the current scenario - Ukraine's Foreign Minister in Kiev Discusses Potential Expansion of Ukraine's Long-Range Capabilities
US and UK Foreign Ministers Antony Blinken and David Lammy are anticipated to touch down in Kyiv today. This visit might push closer the prospect of besieged Ukraine obtaining authorization to strike military objectives deep within Russian territory with Western weapons.
Prior to departing for London, Blinken mentioned that he and his counterpart aimed to examine how Ukraine can best be reinforced in its current predicament. They intended to present their sagacity to their superiors for their meeting on Friday. US President Joe Biden will subsequently receive British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington. The main focus of the discourse revolves around the utilization of ATACMS artillery rockets from US manufacturing and British Storm Shadow missiles.
In Kyiv, a get-together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and high-level government officials is scheduled, as per the US Department of State. The expedition occurs at a crucial juncture for Ukraine, Blinken stated. Russia is amplifying its assault against civilians, crucial infrastructure, and the Ukrainian military. "We witness the manner in which it is escalating its attacks on cities, people, and especially energy infrastructure before the cold months," the US Secretary of State added.
Ukraine has been defending a large-scale Russian invasion for more than two and a half years. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated in Kyiv that due to the harm inflicted on the energy system, Ukraine is probably confronting its most formidable winter thus far. The Ukrainian military also reported Russian air strikes once more throughout the night on Wednesday.
Is the restriction on US weapons to be lifted?
Thus far, the US has confined the application of its weapons against Russia to safeguarding the Russian offensive against the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. However, Ukraine has been asking for quite some time now that it be permitted to employ long-range weapons from US manufacturing against targets far beyond the Russian border. Only then could Russian military airfields from which combat aircraft take off to drop guided bombs or launch missiles be targeted. These hit significant cities like Kharkiv, but also Ukrainian trenches at the forefront. Several Republican politicians in Washington have recently urged President Biden in a letter to lift these constraints.
Nevertheless, the ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington up until now only have a range exceeding 300 kilometers. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently admitted in Ramstein that the Russian military has shifted its combat aircraft to further airfields for some time. As of now, Ukraine has utilized its own drones for assaults in the Russian backcountry; however, these carry a limited quantity of explosives.
Germany has not provided Ukraine with weapons of equivalent range. It is generally accepted that Ukraine uses German tanks or artillery guns, for instance, in its offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) vehemently opposes delivering the most potent German weapon, the Taurus cruise missile. This could reach Moscow with a range of 500 kilometers.
The Kyiv government anticipates a demanding winter
Prime Minister Shmyhal spoke in Kyiv of the challenge to guarantee stable energy supply during the upcoming heating season. "We have successfully navigated three heating periods." The approaching winter will be "not less challenging, but perhaps even the most challenging."
Russia started its war against the neighboring nation in February 2022, when it was still being heated. This was followed by two winters that Ukraine endured despite numerous power outages. Nevertheless, this year, Russia's systematic shelling of power and heating plants has significantly compromised Ukraine's energy production.
Ukraine receives equipment for its energy sector from around the world, says Shmyhal. Efforts are being made to restore damaged power plants and make the energy system less vulnerable by decentralizing it.
President Zelensky demands more from his diplomats
President Zelensky is urging his diplomats to more assertively advocate for the interests of his country, which is under assault by Russia. He desires the new Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, to overhaul Ukrainian diplomacy so that "we and our partners can respond more actively to challenges." He mentioned this in his evening video address. Previously, he had introduced Sybiha as the new minister at the Foreign Ministry.
Zelensky did not reference the previous Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who was a victim of last week's cabinet reshuffle. However, his remarks could be interpreted as criticism of the previous Ukrainian diplomacy. He stated that those who do not meet the required standards should reconsider whether they should remain within the Foreign Ministry system.
- During their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and high-level government officials, Antony Blinken and David Lammy, representing the United States Department of State, discussed the critical situation Ukraine is facing.
- The US Department of State announced that Blinken and Lammy's visit to Kyiv comes at a crucial time, as Russia continues to escalate its attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas, critical infrastructure, and military targets.
