Zelensky Presses US on Long-Range Strikes in Russia During Blinken Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed the United States this week into lifting restrictions on long-range missile strikes within Russia amid the ongoing war between the two nations.

On Wednesday, Zelensky met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken where the two spoke about Ukraine's war against Russia. During their meeting, Zelensky mentioned restrictions the U.S. has placed on Ukraine for the use of U.S.-provided weapons.

U.S. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use these missiles to strike targets within Russia, but the distance in which they can be fired is limited by the U.S.

However, Zelensky called on the U.S. to lift those restrictions, saying "let's count on some strong decisions, at least...for us, it's very important."

"We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can't prevail without it," Zelensky said, alluding to the ongoing military and economic support from the U.S.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that it is unlikely that allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles would change the course of the war.

"I don't believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment," Austin said, noting that the Ukrainian army has other capabilities to strike long-range targets within Russia.

While speaking with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that he hoped an agreement on long-range missile "strikes on the territory of our enemy" could be reached.

Earlier this week, Shmyhal warned that Ukraine could be facing the "hardest" winter yet in their war with Russia, citing recent attacks on energy sites.

"Energy resilience is one of our greatest challenges this year," Shmyhal said. "We successfully got through what was essentially 2 1/2 winters. We will get through three, with this upcoming heating season likely being just as difficult, if not the hardest."

During his visit to Kyiv, Blinken announced that the U.S. would be providing Ukraine with over $700 million in humanitarian aid to help Ukraine's energy grid amid the Russian attacks.

Blinken also formally accused Iran this week of supplying weapons to Russia.

"Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine, against Ukrainians," Blinken said during his meeting. "The supply of Iranian missiles enables Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets that are further from the front line."

In a statement to Newsweek, Iran's Mission to the United Nations disputed these claims saying "Iran's position vis-à-vis the Ukraine conflict remains unchanged...Iran considers the provision of military assistance to the parties engaged in the conflict—which leads to increased human casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and a distancing from ceasefire negotiations—to be inhumane."

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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