US and UK Weigh Risk of Arming Ukraine for Deep Strikes Within Russia

As the US and UK debate allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike Russia, skepticism exists about its impact on the conflict. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in Washington discussing this with President Joe Biden. The decision poses risks of direct war with NATO. Ukraine aims to pressure Russia by targeting strategic sites.

The US and UK are currently in discussions about permitting Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory. Although some officials remain skeptical about its effectiveness, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy continues to push for these capabilities to gain an advantage in the ongoing conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with President Joe Biden in Washington to explore the possibility, a move that has so far been resisted by the US administration. The use of long-range ATACMS missiles, while enhancing Ukraine's offensive capabilities, may not significantly change the current dynamics, according to some US officials.

The primary concern is the potential escalation into a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. This comes as Russia warns of the severe consequences of such strikes. Meanwhile, analysts believe that Russia could respond in various ways, elevating the risk without necessarily leading to full-scale war.

(With inputs from agencies.)