Zelenskyy to Press Biden for Long-Range Strike Approval in Washington Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington next Thursday for talks with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Zelenskyy aims to push for the U.S. to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russia.

“I look forward to welcoming my friend, President Zelenskyy, to the White House next week,” Biden said in a message posted on X. “During his visit, I’ll reaffirm America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom and independence.”

However, the Biden administration remains unconvinced about authorizing Ukraine to launch long-range missiles into Russia. U.S. officials are asking Kyiv for more details on how these weapons would be used and how they align with Ukraine’s broader war strategy.

Officials also expressed concern that loosening restrictions on long-range weaponry may not be impactful and could carry significant risks. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that such a move would mean war between Russia and the U.S. and its NATO allies.

While Ukraine already uses long-range drones to strike deep within Russia, U.S. defense officials argue the limited stock of long-range missiles further complicates the decision.

Zelenskyy will also meet separately with Vice President Harris, who last met him in July in Switzerland to discuss the war. This comes as Biden endorsed Harris for the 2024 presidential race after announcing he would not seek re-election.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would quickly end the war if elected in November. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance, shared that Trump’s plan includes creating a demilitarized zone, preventing Ukraine from reclaiming Russian-occupied territory, and barring it from joining NATO.