Zelensky to meet Biden, Harris as Ukraine presses US to ease restrictions on long-range weapons
WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Thursday for talks with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as he pushes for the United States to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deeper into Russia.
“I look forward to welcoming my friend President Zelensky of Ukraine to the White House next week,” Biden said in a message posted on X. “During his visit, I will reaffirm America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in defending its freedom and independence.”
The Biden administration remains unconvinced that it should give Ukraine the authority to launch long-range missiles deep into Russia, and U.S. officials say they are seeking more detailed information about how kyiv would use the weapons and how they fit into the broader strategy for the war.
U.S. officials said they have asked Ukraine to explain more clearly its combat objectives if the administration gives the green light to easing restrictions on long-range weapons.
Government officials are concerned that easing restrictions would have limited impact and carry great risks. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would be “at war” with the United States and its NATO allies if they allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons.
U.S. defense officials have repeatedly argued that long-range missiles are limited in number and that Ukraine is already using its own long-range drones to strike targets further away from Russia.
Zelensky meets separately with Harris, who is seeking to succeed Biden.
She last met the Ukrainian president in July at an international meeting in Switzerland to discuss the war, shortly before Biden announced he was dropping out of his re-election bid and endorsing Harris.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would take steps to quickly end the war if he won the November election.
His running mate, Sen. JD Vance, said in a recent interview on the “Shawn Ryan Show” that Trump’s plan would include establishing a “demilitarized zone” and that Ukraine would not take back territory occupied by Russia and would agree not to join NATO.
