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[Global Times Report] According to the European version of the U.S. Political News Network on the 15th, as the Ukrainian army entered Russia to carry out operations, the Biden administration was "open" to delivering long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, and the delivery of such missiles would enhance the combat effectiveness of Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets.

The White House, file photo, source: US media

The report said that an official from the Biden administration said that the US government has not yet made a final decision on whether to deliver long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, but is studying the complex details. The report said that the issues studied by the US side include reviewing the transfer of sensitive technology and ensuring that Ukrainian fighter jets can launch missiles weighing 2,400 pounds and carrying 1,000-pound warheads.

However, the European version of the U.S. Politico reported that the U.S. Department of Defense refused to comment on whether it had approved the delivery of the missiles to Ukraine. "We are considering a range of options that could meet Ukraine's security assistance requirements, but we have no information to provide," a U.S. Department of Defense spokesman said.

The report said that in the past few months, some Ukrainian lawmakers and advisers to the Ukrainian president have been urging US government officials and members of Congress to agree to deliver the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) to Ukraine, which can significantly increase the range of the Ukrainian military's weapons system.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Zelensky posted on social media that Ukraine had received F-16 fighter jets delivered by Western countries, saying that Ukraine's combat power would be strengthened as a result. He also said that Ukrainian pilots have begun to fly F-16 fighter jets to perform missions in the country. Russian presidential press secretary Peskov once said that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets by Western countries to Ukraine would not have a significant impact on the war because these fighter jets would be shot down and destroyed.

According to TASS and other media reports, the Ukrainian army raided Russia's Kursk Oblast on the 6th of this month, and then the two sides clashed in the state. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the situation on Russia's southern border on the 12th, saying that Russia will resolutely respond to Ukraine's series of provocations in the border area, and that driving Ukraine out of Russian territory and effectively defending the border area is the current priority. White House Press Secretary Karina Jean-Pierre was asked at a press conference on the 13th about the Ukrainian army's entry into Russia to carry out attacks. She said at the time that Ukraine did not inform the US side of this matter in advance, and the US side "did not participate" in the Ukrainian army's action.

Xinhua News Agency reported that some analysts believe that Ukraine wants to reduce the pressure on other fronts through the above actions and gain more bargaining chips with Russia, but this may lead to further escalation of the conflict between the two sides. With Western countries continuing to add fuel to the fire, the prospect of a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis has become more complicated.