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The Kremlin accused US President Joe Biden on Monday of escalating the 1,000-day-old war in Ukraine, promising a “palpable” response to any use of US long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia.
Biden, who in January hands over the White House to Donald Trump, a sceptic of US support for Ukraine, called at a G20 summit attended by Russia’s foreign minister for support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
G20 leaders said Monday they welcome “constructive initiatives” for “comprehensive, just, and durable peace” in Ukraine.
The long-range weapons dispute raged as Moscow unleashed a second missile attack in two days on the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa, killing 10 people and wounding 55, authorities said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said the US decision to allow the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) could be a “game changer”.
Kyiv has long sought authorisation to use ATACMS against military targets inside Russia as its troops face some of the most intense pressure since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.
Russia’s aerial bombardments have levelled entire districts near the front line and decimated energy facilities across Ukraine.
“The longer Ukraine can strike, the shorter the war will be,” Sybiga told reporters ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s full invasion.
“It could have very positive impact on the situation on the battlefield,” he added.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “it’s obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends… to continue fuelling the fire and provoke a further escalation of tensions”.
