KYIV -- The United States and Britain pledged nearly US$1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats as Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than US$700 million in humanitarian aid, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that his country would provide another US$782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. Much of the effort was aimed at bolstering the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded ahead of an expected difficult winter.
Blinken and Lammy traveled together to the Ukrainian capital on a rare joint tour to underscore their commitment to the country in its war. Two air-raid sirens sounded during the visit, causing delays in their schedule, including forcing them to cancel a wreath-laying ceremony.
Blinken said he would bring the discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the missiles 鈥渂ack to Washington to brief the president.鈥� Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will 鈥渘o doubt鈥� talk about the issue when they meet Friday in Washington.
鈥淪peaking for the United States, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed. And I have no doubt that we鈥檒l continue to do that as this evolves,鈥� Blinken told a news conference.
The diplomatic visit unfolded as Russia鈥檚 bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine鈥檚 eastern Donetsk region and pounds the country with missiles, glide bombs and drones that claim many civilian casualties.
Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a 鈥渃ritical鈥� juncture following Ukraine's daring incursion last month into Russia鈥檚 Kursk region, even as it tries to defend against its neighbor鈥檚 aerial attacks on cities across the country.
"We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children 鈥� horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,鈥� Lammy said.
But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv鈥檚 repeated appeals for the West鈥檚 authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
That issue has become more urgent given Russia鈥檚 latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have balked at the request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.
Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.
Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.
鈥淟et鈥檚 count on some strong decisions, at least,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or us, it鈥檚 very important.鈥�
He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.
鈥淲e rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can鈥檛 prevail without it,鈥� Zelenskyy said.
However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,鈥� Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets 鈥渇or strikes on the territory of our enemy鈥� could be reached. 鈥淲e hope for your help and support in this issue.鈥�
Shmyhal described the meeting with Lammy in Kyiv as 鈥渋ntense鈥� but gave no other details in his post on his Telegram channel.
A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is under severe strain after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country鈥檚 generation capacity.
Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former U.S. president Donald Trump said in a presidential debate Tuesday that he wants the war to end but did not clearly say he wants Ukraine to win.
鈥淭he bottom line is this: We want Ukraine to win,鈥� Blinken said.
The latest American aid package includes US$325 million in energy support to help repair and restore Ukraine鈥檚 power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power for critical services and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.
Some US$290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining US$102 million will be used for mine-removal work. Late last week, the U.S. announced it would send $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine, including air-defense missiles and artillery.
The British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland. Blinken traveled from London, where he accused Iran of providing Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, calling the move a 鈥渄ramatic escalation鈥� of the war.
Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: 鈥淩ussia鈥檚 use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.鈥�
Wednesday's visit was, unusually, announced in advance 鈥� a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.
As Blinken and Lammy arrived in Kyiv, the U.K. announced it would ban 10 commercial ships it accuses of illicitly transporting Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. The U.K. government said the vessels would be barred from British ports and could be detained if they enter.
Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Derek Gatopoulos in Kyiv contributed to this report
