U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have decided to delay their decision on whether Ukraine should be allowed to use Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets. Their discussions, held at the White House, examined the potential fallout from removing restrictions on these advanced weapons.

Biden Downplays Putin's Threats

During their talks, Biden dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warnings about escalating the conflict if Ukraine were given long-range missiles from the West. "I don't think much about Vladimir Putin," Biden remarked, suggesting he wasn’t overly concerned about the Russian leader’s threats of a broader war.

Putin had recently warned that allowing long-range missiles to Ukraine would equate to NATO, the U.S., and European countries being at war with Russia. This aligns with the Kremlin's narrative that NATO countries are de facto participants in the conflict and that they would face consequences.

Biden’s reluctance to approve Ukraine’s request for U.S.-made ATACMS missiles stems from concerns within the U.S. administration. Officials are wary of the missiles' potential impact on Ukraine’s military progress and are also mindful of preserving U.S. stockpiles. Speaking to reporters before his meeting with Starmer, Biden emphasized his belief that “Putin will not prevail in this war,” while remaining cautious about actions that could escalate tensions with Russia.

Decision Deferred Until UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Starmer suggested that the decision on the missile issue would be revisited during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. He indicated that the matter would be re-evaluated after consultations with other global leaders to ensure a unified approach.

“We will discuss this matter with a broader group of stakeholders next week,” Starmer said, highlighting that the missile debate is part of a wider international strategy discussion.

Discussion on Gaza Conflict

In addition to the situation in Ukraine, Biden and Starmer also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Britain recently suspended arms deliveries to Israel, citing concerns that these weapons might be used in ways that violate international humanitarian law. Despite mounting international pressure, the U.S., a key ally of Israel, has not taken similar action.

Starmer noted that their meeting with Biden covered a broad range of strategic issues beyond just military support for Ukraine.