Joe Biden is preparing to lift the restriction on the use of British Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine in attacks on Russia. This potential policy shift comes in response to the revelation that Iran is supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, which could be deployed in Ukraine in a matter of weeks.
Antony Blinken, Biden’s Secretary of State, is set to visit Ukraine on Wednesday alongside UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to discuss the possibility of lifting the restrictions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following these discussions, Biden and Sir Keir Starmer are expected to further consider the policy change during a White House summit on Friday. Blinken indicated that the president is “not ruling it out.”
The decision to reconsider the ban has likely been influenced by intelligence suggesting that Russia has already begun receiving shipments of Iranian ballistic missiles, which could be used imminently against Ukraine.
During a visit to London, Blinken stated, “Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians. This is a threat not only to Ukraine and its people, but to all of Europe.”
British government insiders suggest that the policy could change this week, although it is not yet guaranteed, with high-level discussions still ongoing. The UK has been advocating for Ukraine to be allowed to use long-range missiles, such as Storm Shadows, within Russian territory.
However, these missiles rely on certain U.S. systems, and the Biden administration has not yet authorized the use of its technology for strikes inside Russia, citing concerns that doing so could escalate the conflict.
While the U.S. maintains that Storm Shadow missiles lack the range to effectively target Russian glide bombers, Zelensky’s government argues that these missiles have been instrumental in halting Russian advances within Ukraine, including in Crimea, and could also be used to disrupt Russian supply lines.
Rocket Launch in Russia (Photo: Ukraine Conflict)
A senior Ukrainian official stated on Tuesday, “Kyiv understands perfectly well what topics will be discussed and why today, given the intensification of missile attacks on our energy infrastructure by the Russians – as well as the data from American officials on Iranian ballistic missiles being transferred to Russia for use against the civilian population of Ukraine.”
Blinken, who will assess Ukraine’s defense needs with Lammy during their visit, said he plans to brief both Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on their findings, which will likely form part of the talks on Friday.
Both John Healey, the UK Defence Secretary, and David Lammy have refrained from publicly discussing the details of these negotiations, citing concerns that such conversations could give Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantage.
In response to Iran’s provision of missiles to Russia, Western allies, including the European Union, have expressed alarm.
EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano warned that this move could bolster Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilians, stating that such support would “be met with a strong EU response.”
The Iranian government has denied the accusations, calling claims of missile sales to Russia “baseless and false” and pledging to respond proportionally to any sanctions imposed as a result.
Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to Washington on Friday will be his second since taking office in July.
After meeting Biden at a NATO summit earlier this year, Starmer hinted that the restrictions on Storm Shadows could be lifted soon, a move welcomed by Zelensky. However, Downing Street later clarified that the UK’s official policy had not yet changed.
