Major Western European powers are exhibiting caution regarding the US president’s recent policy shift, particularly given the upcoming change in US leadership, according to the news agency.
Key NATO allies have voiced reservations about US President Joe Biden’s reported authorization of Ukrainian strikes deep within Russia using American-supplied long-range missiles.
This policy shift, initially reported by the New York Times, represents a significant change in US strategy but hasn’t secured widespread Western backing due to concerns about escalating the conflict.
Germany, France, and the UK, all possessing long-range missile capabilities, have refrained from mirroring Washington’s decision despite repeated requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, highlighted the need for a cautious approach.
“Many German citizens are concerned about European security and peace,” Scholz explained to reporters, justifying Berlin’s refusal to supply Taurus missiles to Kyiv. “Therefore, I must act prudently.”
Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Germany has generally aligned with US decisions, such as the coordinated tank deliveries in 2023 and the earlier authorization of limited Ukrainian artillery strikes across the Russian border.
However, Scholz’s reluctance to escalate may stem from worries about potential Russian retaliation and the implications of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, which has indicated plans to curtail support for Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.
The French and British G20 delegations also adopted a cautious stance. While UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously expressed support for providing additional Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv, his office has avoided confirming authorization for strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory. A Ukrainian official described a lack of further Western European support as a “massive disappointment” for Zelenskyy.
France has already supplied a limited number of long-range missiles but has not specified their intended use or future deliveries. French officials, however, approved of the US decision, even as Western European leaders contend with uncertainty surrounding Trump’s anticipated shift towards diplomatic engagement with Russia.
Trump’s proposed national security advisor, Mike Waltz, downplayed the significance of Biden’s decision, emphasizing the incoming administration’s focus on peace negotiations. “This is a development, but it’s a tactical one,” Waltz told Fox News. “President Trump is talking grand strategy here.”