Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized President Biden’s administration for providing Ukraine with long-range missiles, calling it a reckless escalation of the conflict. He specifically called out Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging them to stop this action. The U.S. is reportedly set to approve Ukraine using long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, which has caused tension between the two nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that his regime will take appropriate actions in response to the threats posed by these missiles.
Western nations, including the U.S., have prohibited Ukraine from using NATO-supplied weapons for offensive purposes, insisting they only be used for defensive measures. However, Ukraine has been carrying out incursions into Russia, attempting to shift the balance of the conflict. Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy has been advocating for the removal of targeting restrictions, while Putin has drawn a red line, suggesting that such actions would result in war with NATO countries. Putin has issued warnings throughout the invasion of Ukraine, cautioning Western powers to stay out of the conflict.
The conflict in Ukraine has become costly for Putin, with international support for Ukraine leading to significant casualties and other consequences for Russia. The invasion has resulted in a brain drain, a large number of Russian refugees, and the movement of Nordic countries towards joining NATO. Despite these setbacks, Putin has focused on making threats and engaging in rhetorical nuclear brinksmanship. It is believed that Putin’s provocative statements are meant to influence the Biden administration’s decisions regarding providing Ukraine with the necessary defense equipment. This has led to a change in course, with the administration eventually agreeing to send tanks, F-16s, and long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.
Former CIA Moscow station chief Dan Hoffman highlighted the failures of Putin’s war in Ukraine, emphasizing that the conflict has not achieved its desired objectives. While Putin has been successful in engaging in threats and coercive tactics, the lack of substantial progress in the conflict has underscored the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary support to defend itself. Hoffman argued that the threats made by Putin are strategic and aimed at influencing the decisions of the Biden administration. There is a call for less micromanagement of Ukraine’s conduct in the war, focusing instead on providing timely and appropriate support to ensure the country can defend itself effectively.