‘The time has come’: NATO chief piles pressure on Biden to allow strikes on Russia

[Anta Assamey]

 

The head of Nato has piled pressure on Joe Biden, saying the “time has come” for members to reconsider allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with weapons donated by the West.

Mr Biden has so far resisted Ukraine’s calls to end the ban amid fears that it could escalate into a direct conflict with Vladimir Putin.

 

Earlier reports emerged that the US president is “edging towards” reversing his stance. 

Anonymous US officials told the New York Times that a change in Mr Biden’s position is “inevitable” as the views of other Nato members also gradually shift. 

It is thought that a growing coalition of Britain, France, and other Eastern European counterparts will work to convince the US that it is the right thing to do, given Russia is launching more attacks from its own soil.

Approving the use of US weapons would give Ukraine the ability to aim directly at artillery and missile sites, circumventing Russia’s upper hand.