U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated the American government’s support for Ukraine during the G20 Summit of the world’s 20 most industrialized nations, currently being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
However, he did not directly address the controversial decision to give Ukraine the green light to use long-range missiles.
“We must all work to resolve conflicts and crises that are eroding progress toward improving global security,” Biden said.
He emphasized that “the United States strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“I believe everyone at this table should act in the same way,” Biden added.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin accused Biden of seeking to escalate the conflict in Ukraine by lifting restrictions on long-range weapons.
These accusations follow media reports claiming that Biden has authorized Ukrainians to use American weaponry deeper in their strikes against Russia.
The White House itself has not commented on these reports.
These developments come after months of lobbying by Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging Western countries to grant Kyiv the green light to use weapons to target more distant locations.
Until now, the United States and several NATO countries have imposed limitations on the range at which these weapons can be deployed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned in September that Russia could respond with nuclear weapons if conventional missiles are launched against it. Moscow considers any attack against it, supported by a nuclear power, to be a joint assault.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin refers to the conflict as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine.
The West has responded to Russia’s actions by imposing severe sanctions on the country’s economy.
The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of people being displaced from their homes.
