Major NATO Countries Show Limited Enthusiasm for Biden’s Shift on Ukraine Missiles, Bloomberg Reports
Western European leaders are exercising caution as the agency reports that the US president's time in office is limited. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Western European leaders are treading carefully as the US president's days in office dwindle, according to reports.
Major NATO allies have voiced concerns following US President Joe Biden’s reported decision to permit Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia using American-made long-range missiles.
This move, initially reported by the New York Times citing unnamed sources, is viewed as a notable shift in US policy. However, it has not succeeded in rallying broader Western support amid fears of further conflict escalation.
Germany, France, and the UK, each of which possesses long-range missiles, have thus far refrained from echoing Washington’s offer, despite repeated appeals from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized the importance of caution. “Many citizens in Germany are worried about security and peace in Europe,” he stated, elaborating on why Berlin would not provide Taurus missiles to Kiev. “As a result, I need to act prudently.”
Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Germany has typically aligned with American strategies, including coordinated tank deliveries in 2023 and permitting limited Ukrainian artillery strikes across Russia’s border earlier this year.
However, Scholz’s hesitance to escalate may reflect worries about potential retaliation and the implications of US President-elect Donald Trump’s expected administration, which has indicated plans to reduce support for Ukraine, according to Bloomberg.
Similarly, the French and British G20 delegations have been cautious. Although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously expressed support for supplying additional Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev, his advisors have not confirmed whether he would allow strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory. A Ukrainian official mentioned that the absence of additional Western European support would be a “massive disappointment” for Zelensky.
France has already supplied a limited number of long-range missiles but has not clarified their intended use or discussed future deliveries. Nonetheless, French officials have supported the US decision, even as Western European leaders confront uncertainty regarding Trump’s anticipated shift toward diplomatic negotiations with Russia.
Trump’s proposed national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has downplayed the significance of Biden’s decision, stressing that the incoming administration will prioritize peace talks. “This is a development, but it’s a tactical one,” Waltz remarked to Fox News. “President Trump is talking grand strategy here.”
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Major NATO allies have voiced concerns following US President Joe Biden’s reported decision to permit Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia using American-made long-range missiles.
This move, initially reported by the New York Times citing unnamed sources, is viewed as a notable shift in US policy. However, it has not succeeded in rallying broader Western support amid fears of further conflict escalation.
Germany, France, and the UK, each of which possesses long-range missiles, have thus far refrained from echoing Washington’s offer, despite repeated appeals from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized the importance of caution. “Many citizens in Germany are worried about security and peace in Europe,” he stated, elaborating on why Berlin would not provide Taurus missiles to Kiev. “As a result, I need to act prudently.”
Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Germany has typically aligned with American strategies, including coordinated tank deliveries in 2023 and permitting limited Ukrainian artillery strikes across Russia’s border earlier this year.
However, Scholz’s hesitance to escalate may reflect worries about potential retaliation and the implications of US President-elect Donald Trump’s expected administration, which has indicated plans to reduce support for Ukraine, according to Bloomberg.
Similarly, the French and British G20 delegations have been cautious. Although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously expressed support for supplying additional Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev, his advisors have not confirmed whether he would allow strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory. A Ukrainian official mentioned that the absence of additional Western European support would be a “massive disappointment” for Zelensky.
France has already supplied a limited number of long-range missiles but has not clarified their intended use or discussed future deliveries. Nonetheless, French officials have supported the US decision, even as Western European leaders confront uncertainty regarding Trump’s anticipated shift toward diplomatic negotiations with Russia.
Trump’s proposed national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has downplayed the significance of Biden’s decision, stressing that the incoming administration will prioritize peace talks. “This is a development, but it’s a tactical one,” Waltz remarked to Fox News. “President Trump is talking grand strategy here.”
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
