November 18, 2024
Strikes are not made with words.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky Sunday night after reports surfaced that the U.S. has “green-lit” our missiles for use inside Russian territory.
Why It Matters: Previously, the U.S. limited the use of our missiles only to the defense of Ukraine and not offense into Russia – which could be viewed as escalatory and an expansion of the war. The U.S. has not officially confirmed this change in policy, but we will watch for updates today as part of a variety of briefings we expect. The question that remains: Will the current administration, in their effort to support Ukraine and in anticipation of a *perceived* gap of support by the incoming Trump administration, surge more aid or equipment or support in the final 60 days of the Biden presidency? Sec. of State Blinken says the current government will “shore up” support. What that means remains TBD.
The Big Picture: $56.3 billion in security assistance has been provided by the U.S. to Ukraine since February 2022 – the largest of any ally.
Read More: Biden authorizes Ukraine to use US-supplied longer range missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia (AP)
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
