Biden Administration Prepares Major Aid Package for Ukraine Amid Controversial Weapon Use Debate

As discussions continue over Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weaponry within Russia, the Biden administration is preparing a significant aid package for Ukraine. President Biden will meet with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy to discuss a comprehensive strategy for the conflict. Russia warns of direct involvement if NATO permits long-range strikes.

As debates ensue over whether Ukrainian forces should be allowed to deploy Western-supplied weaponry against deeper Russian targets, the Biden administration is gearing up to send substantial aid to Ukraine in the coming weeks. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced on Saturday that President Biden will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this month to discuss further support.

"I do think we need a comprehensive strategy for success in this war, and that is what President Zelenskyy says he is bringing," Sullivan stated during a videolink address at the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv, according to Al Jazeera.

"We are looking forward to sitting down and discussing this thoroughly, and President Biden is eager for that conversation," he added. Over 25 months have passed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Recently, Ukrainian forces have encountered challenges as Russian troops advance towards Pokrovsk, a significant transit hub in eastern Ukraine. Sullivan expressed specific concerns about these developments.

Furthermore, Sullivan emphasized that President Biden is focused on positioning Ukraine favorably in the conflict during his remaining months in office. Biden's term ends in January, as he is not seeking reelection, Al Jazeera reported. "President Zelenskyy has stated that this war must eventually conclude through negotiations, and we need them to be in a strong position for those talks," Sullivan noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that Western participation in the conflict would escalate if Ukraine were allowed to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons. Putin said such actions would alter the conflict's fundamental nature.

Zelenskyy has been urging the Biden administration and other Western allies to authorize long-range missile strikes into Russia to pressure Moscow into ending the war.

Addressing comments from the US and UK about Ukraine's potential use of long-range weapons against Russia, Putin remarked, "What we are seeing is an attempt to substitute notions. This isn't about permission; Ukraine is already conducting attacks using UAVs and other means." He added, "Using Western-made long-range precision weapons is entirely different. Ukraine's army is not capable of operating such systems."

In response to media inquiries, Putin warned that the West's direct involvement in the conflict would occur if they allowed Ukraine to use long-range weapons. He declared that Russia would take 'appropriate decisions' to counter the threats. "If this decision is made, it will mean direct involvement by NATO, the United States, and European countries, fundamentally changing the conflict's nature," Putin asserted.

(With inputs from agencies.)