Kyiv will applaud Joe Biden’s tardy decision to permit Ukraine to fire long-range missiles provided by the US within Russia, and it is likely that the UK will follow suit.
However, the abrupt change in US policy, which comes just weeks before Donald Trump becomes president, will also incite resentment and new threats from Moscow at a time when the future of its conflict is becoming increasingly dubious.
President Vladimir Putin has warned the West that allowing Ukrainian forces to fire ballistic and cruise missiles supplied by the West toward Russia would be a recipe for disaster and may possibly lead to a world catastrophe.
However, despite Moscow’s sabre rattling, US and British officials have repeatedly cautioned their respective capitals not to be scared.
