No US, UK approval to use long-range missiles on Russia

Ahead of crucial trip to US, Zelensky hints that he hopes Biden will make a U-turn

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The United States and Britain have not authorised Ukraine to use long-range missiles on targets inside Russia, fearing an escalation of hostilities, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, hinting he hoped US leader Joe Biden would change his mind.

Mr Zelensky was speaking late on Sept 20, ahead of a crucial trip to the US this week during which he is due to discuss proposals for ending the fighting with Mr Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.

Kyiv has for weeks been pressing the West to allow it to use Westernsupplied long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia, arguing it could change the course of the war, 2½ years after Moscow's invasion of its neighbour.

"Neither America nor the United Kingdom gave us permission to use these weapons on the territory of Russia, on any targets, at any distance," Mr Zelensky told reporters.

"I think they are worried about an escalation." Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that if Ukraine uses long-range weapons supplied to it by the West to strike targets inside Russian territory, that would signify Nato countries were also at war with Russia.

But Mr Zelensky hinted he had not given up hope that Mr Biden who has four months left in office - could make a U-turn in time for a "historic mission" to make "important decisions for Ukraine".