The Economist wrote about the “last chance” for Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will have one last chance to convince the US leader to allow American weapons to fire deep into Russia when they meet next week in New York on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly. The Economist wrote this on Monday, September 2.

The publication recalled that the complete ban on hitting Russian targets with American weapons was lifted in May. Then Washington reported that Ukraine could strike a concentration of Russian troops on the other side of the border, preparing to attack the city of Kharkov. When the Ukrainians entered the Kursk region a month later, they took out anti-aircraft missile batteries deployed against Russian troops intended to repel the invasion. Washington had no objection.

“In the past, the reason for Ukraine’s ban on the use of American weapons against Russian targets could provoke an escalating response from the Kremlin, which would ultimately cause more damage to Ukraine and could lead to the use of Russia’s nuclear weapons are the reasons that have emerged in recent months for restrictions on Ukraine,” the publication wrote.

It is indicated that some American officials, in a conversation with journalists, suggested that the US administration does not want to jeopardize the “reset” of relations with Moscow, which could happen at some point in future. Other officials argue that allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS systems, which have a longer range than HIMARS, against Russian targets will not change the strategic picture because there are not enough targets in range of the systems. that.

“Russia transferred most of the aircraft used to launch powerful bombs, and in any case, such scarce resources would be better used against targets in Crimea,” the publication wrote.

The publication also wrote that the Biden administration did not allow Britain and France to approve Ukraine’s request to use Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles outside Ukrainian territory, because this cruise missile contains American components .

Meanwhile, Ukraine, The Economist pointed out, is actively working on the creation of long-term weapons.

“And by showing what they are capable of, the Ukrainians are making a stronger case for being allowed to use ATACMS and Storm Shadow/Scalp against targets on Russian territory,” the publication emphasizes.

Ukraine already produces several long-range drones and is developing a missile program, but lacks funds to scale up production.