In a press briefing on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States will discuss the possibility of granting Ukraine the freedom to strike targets deep inside Russia using its long-range weaponry. The statement was made alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during their visit to London, where it was revealed that the two officials will be traveling to Kyiv this week. This joint visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Western allies and Ukraine, as it is the first of its kind in over a decade.

For quite some time, Ukraine has been urging its Western allies, including the US, to allow it to employ its Washington-supplied ATACMS ground-launched ballistic missiles to target Russian territory. However, the US has been cautious about authorizing such actions, fearing an escalation in the conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.

During the press briefing, Blinken was asked directly if the time had come to permit Ukraine to utilize the long-range missiles supplied by the US against targets deep inside Russia. In response, Blinken stated that this matter would be discussed during his visit to Kyiv with Lammy. He emphasized their intention to engage directly with Ukrainian leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, in order to understand the Ukrainian perspective on their current needs, objectives, and how the US can provide support.

Blinken reassured that the US has been committed to ensuring Ukraine has the necessary resources to effectively deal with Russian aggression since day one. He acknowledged the importance of adapting strategies based on battlefield conditions and stated that various critical factors, such as the capability of effective use, training, maintenance, and integration into an overall strategy, would be considered before any decision is made.

Earlier on Tuesday, Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky's office, made a public plea via Telegram, calling on the US to grant Ukraine permission to utilize Western weapons against military targets in Russia, as well as to bolster their air defense capabilities.

The joint visit of Blinken and Lammy to Kyiv this week signifies a renewed focus on the situation in Ukraine. Their discussions with Ukrainian leaders will likely play a crucial role in shaping future actions and support from Western allies. As tensions continue to rise between Ukraine and Russia, the international community eagerly awaits the outcome of these deliberations.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Defense Ministry for comment, and their response will be presented as an update in due course.