Biden poised to give Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadows
19.11.2024 15:03
Mr Biden is expected to give his blessings for the British-made weapon to be used in Kursk, after authorising similar American long-range missiles to be deployed.
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, is now under increasing pressure to allow Taurus missiles to join the offensive, which would give Ukraine a trio of new munitions to hit high-value Russian targets.
British and American officials declined to comment on private conversations about the missiles on Monday, citing the risk that Russia could move its resources out of range before the weapons could be deployed.
But Sir Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, said at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro that Ukraine’s Western supporters must "double down”, after Vladimir Putin sent North Korean troops into Kursk to fight off Kyiv’s advance into Russian territory.
He said: "We need to make sure Ukraine has what is necessary for as long as necessary, because we cannot allow Putin to win this war.”
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Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, is now under increasing pressure to allow Taurus missiles to join the offensive, which would give Ukraine a trio of new munitions to hit high-value Russian targets.
British and American officials declined to comment on private conversations about the missiles on Monday, citing the risk that Russia could move its resources out of range before the weapons could be deployed.
But Sir Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, said at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro that Ukraine’s Western supporters must "double down”, after Vladimir Putin sent North Korean troops into Kursk to fight off Kyiv’s advance into Russian territory.
He said: "We need to make sure Ukraine has what is necessary for as long as necessary, because we cannot allow Putin to win this war.”
The Storm Shadow is known for its bunker-busting capability - Gary Dawson/Shutterstock
Mr Biden is now expected to give his authorisation for Storm Shadows to be used, after rejecting repeated requests from the UK to allow Ukrainian forces to deploy them with American support systems.
If used without US systems, the weapons do not work effectively.
The Telegraph understands that Mr Biden, who had been refusing to allow the missiles to be used, changed his mind last month following intelligence reports which suggested North Korean troops were advancing towards the front line under Russian command.
Mr Biden is now expected to give his authorisation for Storm Shadows to be used, after rejecting repeated requests from the UK to allow Ukrainian forces to deploy them with American support systems.
If used without US systems, the weapons do not work effectively.
The Telegraph understands that Mr Biden, who had been refusing to allow the missiles to be used, changed his mind last month following intelligence reports which suggested North Korean troops were advancing towards the front line under Russian command.
Ukraine can use missiles ‘as it sees fit’
Maria Eagle, a junior British defence minister, appeared to admit by mistake that the policy had changed, replying to a question on the issue that Ukraine would "absolutely” be able to use missile defence systems "as it sees fit”.
"We intend to align with our allies in making sure Ukraine can make use of the capability that has been offered by those who have committed support to that country in its fight,” she said.
The White House previously feared that firing long-range missiles inside Russia would escalate the conflict, but national security officials view North Korea’s involvement as an escalation by Moscow that requires a response from the West.
On Monday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, rejected the Kremlin’s claims that the missiles would add "fuel to the fire”, telling reporters: "What’s adding fuel to the fire is the fact that DPRK [North Korean] soldiers are now entering a fight.”
Ukraine has already deployed Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles donated by the US and UK during the conflict, but has been restricted to using them inside its own territory.
Atacms is a 190-mile range weapon system that can be deployed with a cluster warhead to strike targets across a large area.
Maria Eagle, a junior British defence minister, appeared to admit by mistake that the policy had changed, replying to a question on the issue that Ukraine would "absolutely” be able to use missile defence systems "as it sees fit”.
"We intend to align with our allies in making sure Ukraine can make use of the capability that has been offered by those who have committed support to that country in its fight,” she said.
The White House previously feared that firing long-range missiles inside Russia would escalate the conflict, but national security officials view North Korea’s involvement as an escalation by Moscow that requires a response from the West.
On Monday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, rejected the Kremlin’s claims that the missiles would add "fuel to the fire”, telling reporters: "What’s adding fuel to the fire is the fact that DPRK [North Korean] soldiers are now entering a fight.”
Ukraine has already deployed Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles donated by the US and UK during the conflict, but has been restricted to using them inside its own territory.
Atacms is a 190-mile range weapon system that can be deployed with a cluster warhead to strike targets across a large area.
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