The West remains undeterred by Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats in response to Ukraine's use of Western weapons. Discussions are ongoing about permitting Kyiv to strike Russian targets with long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
The situation on the ground is fluid, with Russian forces reportedly regaining control of villages in the Kursk region and advancing around Vuhledar and Pokrovsk. Senior British politicians, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, are advocating for the UK to authorize Ukraine to launch strikes inside Russia.
This issue has become a focal point of debate, with Labour leaders Keir Starmer and David Lammy discussing it on television as they prepare to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly alongside US President Joe Biden.
Despite these debates, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains opposed to supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine, citing the risk of significant escalation. NATO officials, including Rob Bauer and Karel Rehka, support Ukraine's right to use such weapons, highlighting the importance of allowing Ukraine to decide how to employ them.
Meanwhile, the US is preparing a new aid package for Ukraine, aiming to strengthen its position for potential negotiations with Russia. Amidst these developments, the pressure mounts on Western leaders to balance support for Ukraine with the risk of further escalating the conflict.
