Why Volodymyr Zelensky wants to shake things up on the use of long-range missiles

An important diplomatic week, before an autumn “decisive” for the continuation of the war in Ukraine, according to Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president, traveling to the United States, is expected at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 25, before meeting his American counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday at the White House. The President of the United States will be “the first to see in detail” his plan to end the war. Volodymyr Zelensku is also due to present these proposals to the US Congress, and then to the presidential candidates, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian president is also expected to reiterate a key demand, seeking permission to use Western long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia. At this point “Neither America nor the UK have given us permission to use these weapons on Russian territory, on any target, at any distance,” recalled Volodymyr Zelensky. Two days earlier, the Ukrainian president called on Joe Biden to “to make important decisions, so that Ukraine becomes stronger and protects its independence while he is President of the United States”, reports the Washington Post.

kyiv is already conducting deep attacks on Russian territory, but with drones, but not having long-range missiles, notes The World. “We continue to persuade our partners at all levels”Volodymyr Zelensky said on September 8, in his usual address to Ukrainians. “Russia can avoid seeking peace only to the extent that the world avoids making tough decisions aimed at defeating Moscow. Long-range capabilities are one of those key, strategic decisions.”, he had defended that evening.

Ukrainian MP Yehor Cherniev recently told ABC News that Ukraine hopes to use ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States to strike targets on Russian soil further away. The use of other missiles, such as the Storm Shadow and Scalp obtained from the United Kingdom and France, is also being sought. “This will inspire Ukrainians and our army”Yehor Cherniev defended to the American television channel. With these missiles with a range of 250 to 300 km, about 250 Russian military installations could be hit.

“The Ukrainians want to force the Russians to push back their logistics bases, air bases and headquarters even further, points out analyst Ulrich Bounat, author of Hybrid war in Ukraine: what are the prospects?. This would allow Ukrainians to see things coming more, to breathe a little more.” And the researcher continued:

“This is one of Joe Biden’s last red lines, and removing it would send a very strong message to Moscow. It would mean: ‘We are ready to support Ukraine as much as it takes’.”

Ulrich Bounat, author of “Hybrid War in Ukraine”

to franceinfo

Arms specialist Léo Péria-Peigné, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), also believes that this authorization would above all be a “symbol”. It would allow Ukrainians “to have more cards against the Russians”. “The Ukrainians already have the means to strike deep”recalls the author of Geopolitics of Armament. “This would allow us to strike more hardened, more armoured targets. Ukrainian weapons are now a little less penetrating..“

On Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that his allies had some reservations: “I think they fear an escalation.” For Ulrich Bounat, “if the Americans “If the US were to give the green light, the West would be involved in the preparatory phase of these deep strikes.” “There is a great fear on the part of Joe Biden that this will be seen as a military escalation”, he points out. The Russian president has recently threatened Western countries if this decision were to be taken. “This would change the very nature of the conflict. It would mean that NATO countries are at war with Russia.”Vladimir Putin warned two weeks ago.

U.S. officials are concerned that Moscow is helping Iran and its backers target U.S. forces in the Middle East, according to reports from the New York Times. But this fear of an escalation “is a bit absurd”, estimates Léo Péria-Peigné.

“I don’t really see what there is to fear, given the state of the Russian army and resources. Vladimir Putin’s threats have already been made ten times. We are letting ourselves be intimidated.”

Léo Péria-Peigné, researcher at the French Institute of International Relations

to franceinfo

The US administration prefers long-range strikes on annexed Crimea and the Russian fleet in the region – attacks that are considered far more effective, according to an official interviewed by CNN. The official emphasizes the limited supply of long-range missiles and the importance of using them wisely.

In Washington, there are calls to grant Volodymyr Zelensky’s request. As CNN points out, Democratic senators have spoken out in favor of this authorization, as has a bipartisan group of elected officials working on Ukraine. “A change in policy cannot be long in coming,” in turn defended 17 former U.S. national security officials, including former ambassadors. “Ukraine is already striking territories that Russia considers its own, including Crimea and Kursk, with these weapons. Moscow’s response remains unchanged.”they note.

What will Joe Biden decide in the coming days? “I see a middle way that remains to be determined. The United States could test the waters by authorizing strikes carried out with British long-range missiles.”replies Ulrich Bounat. “This would allow the Americans to say that it is not their responsibility, while authorizing the Ukrainians to strike Russian territory.” For his part, Léo Péria-Peigné notes that “Ukrainians believe that Joe Biden will eventually give in, but that he is wasting a lot of time and soldiers”.