IRIA News

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, offering substantial new aid to Ukraine. However, they stopped short of committing to Kyiv’s request for long-range missile strikes into Russian territory, an issue Ukraine has been pursuing for months.

Together, the United States and Britain pledged nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine during the visit on September 11, 2024.

The visit came at a critical point in Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the Russian invasion, with both foreign ministers pledging their countries’ continued support for Ukraine.

Lammy and Blinken arrived in Kyiv aboard a private overnight train from Poland, with air raid sirens interrupting their day-long visit. The trip included meetings with key Ukrainian officials, such as President Zelenskyy and newly appointed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Though framed as a gesture of solidarity, the visit primarily focused on delivering strong words of support rather than making concrete commitments, particularly on missile defense.

Had a constructive conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister @andrii_sybiha. U.S. and UK support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression is ironclad. We look forward to close cooperation in the days ahead to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and support its recovery. pic.twitter.com/ezwOKNQLEq

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 11, 2024

“I’m delighted particularly to be here with David,” Blinken said. “The United States, the United Kingdom, united for Ukraine.” British foreign secretary said: “This is the first time in well over a decade that a secretary of state from the U.S. and a foreign secretary of the UK have traveled together, and that is to reiterate our complete support for the Ukrainian struggle.”

Lammy added that he and Blinken are visiting Kyiv at a critical moment “to listen [to Ukriane], to strategize on the coming months, with our determination that Ukraine must win this fight against Russian aggression.”

Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities

Blinken and Lammy met Zelenskyy to discuss the war’s progress and Ukraine’s future military needs. “Among other things, we discussed long-range fires, but a number of other things as well,” Blinken told reporters after the meeting. He added, “I’m going to take that discussion back to Washington to brief the president on what I heard.”

Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on his Western allies to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and British Storm Shadows, to strike deep into Russian territory. These weapons would significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to cripple Russian military installations and logistics hubs far from the front lines.

The Ukrainian president views the ability to strike deeper into Russia as crucial to limiting Moscow’s capacity to continue launching assaults. However, the West remains cautious, as allowing such strikes could escalate the war and potentially provoke direct conflict between Russia and NATO countries.

A very substantive and long conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken @SecBlinken and UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy, during which we discussed all key issues.

It is important that Ukrainian arguments are heard. This includes the long-range weapons, the supply… pic.twitter.com/uZWIUVQo95

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 11, 2024

When asked about the likelihood of the U.S. and Britain authorizing these long-range attacks, Zelenskyy joked that it depended on the “optimism” of Ukraine’s allies. He expressed hope for “strong decisions” from the West, adding, “For us, it’s very important for today.”

In a Telegram post following the talks, Zelenskyy described the discussions as “long and meaningful.” He wrote, “All the key issues were discussed. What’s important is that all the Ukrainian arguments were heard. And that concerns long-range weaponry, supplying our front-line brigades, and the general strategy of moving strategically towards a just peace.”

Russia’s warning

While Ukraine’s requests for long-range missiles are under consideration, there is significant concern in Washington and some European capitals about the potential consequences. Some fear that lifting the restrictions on these strikes could provoke Russia to escalate the conflict further, possibly involving the West directly in hostilities.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, issued a stark warning in response to the possibility of Western-supplied long-range strikes on Russian soil. He stated that Moscow would regard the U.S. and its allies as active participants in the war if they allowed Ukraine to carry out such attacks.

Despite the risks, there are indications that compromise may be possible. President Joe Biden hinted those discussions were ongoing, stating his administration was “working that out now” when asked about lifting restrictions on long-range weapons.

New aid commitments by the US and UK

Blinken and Lammy’s visit was twice interrupted by air raid alerts in Kyiv, both before and after a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The alerts were reportedly triggered by ballistic missile threats, though it was unclear what, if anything, had been targeted.

We stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/uhCWahGpF2

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 12, 2024

The heightened tension during the visit did not stop the two foreign ministers from announcing substantial new aid packages for Ukraine. Blinken unveiled over $700 million in additional U.S. support, while Lammy confirmed that Britain would provide a further $781 million in aid.

This new funding aims to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities as it continues to fend off Russian advances, particularly in the east of the country.

Crimea Platform

Blinken and Lammy visited the capital of Ukraine at a time when Zelenskyy also welcomed leaders of Latvia, Lithuania, and Croatia for participation in the annual Crimea Platform summit, which is dedicated to reversing the illegal annexation of the peninsula by Russia in 2014. “Memory compels us to act,” Zelenskyy said, noting that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a key part of ensuring a lasting peace.

At the fourth Crimea Platform, U.S. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed that Crimea is Ukraine. “Crimea teaches us a lot.  Crimea shows the future Putin seeks for all of Ukraine.  Crimea shows Ukrainian resilience, and what drives it.  And Crimea shows what we partners of Ukraine – and nations committed to defending international rules and rights – what we must do to respond to Russia’s relentless war of aggression,” Blinken stated.

“Fair and sustainable peace is impossible without restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and that includes the Crimea. Crimea is Ukraine,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Stalemate on the Battlefield

More than two and a half years into the conflict, Ukraine’s forces are facing increasing challenges. After making significant territorial gains earlier in the war, Ukrainian advances have stalled in recent weeks. Russian forces have started to reclaim ground, with a senior Russian commander stating on Wednesday that Russian troops had retaken control of around 10 settlements.

Although Ukraine has not commented on these reports, the slow pace of progress is becoming a growing concern for Kyiv, as winter approaches and the battlefield dynamics could become even more challenging.

Zelenskyy’s trip to US

Later this month, President Zelenskyy will travel to the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Biden and key figures in the U.S. political landscape, including the two front-runners in the 2024 presidential election. Zelenskyy will present his case for further support and hopes to secure a long-term commitment from the U.S. that could bring the war closer to an end.

Zelenskyy’s visit will be closely watched, as it could shape the trajectory of U.S. and Western support for Ukraine going into 2024. Ukraine’s leadership remains adamant that it needs more advanced weapons and support from the West to shift the war in its favor.