Trump won't say if he wants Ukraine to win the war; Blinken visits Kyiv on long-range strikes
Former President Donald Trump refused to say he wanted Ukraine to win the war against Russia during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine woke Wednesday to a glaring display of the potentially expanding range — and possible limits — of American support.
Hours after former President Donald Trump refused to say whether he wanted the U.S. ally to win the war against Russia, Kyiv welcomed Washington's top diplomat — hoping he will bring a long-awaited shift on its use of long-range weapons.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit offered a show of support at a critical moment in the conflict, while the timing offered contrast with Trump's comments, perhaps the most notable foreign policy moment of his presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
But in Ukraine, many eyes were focused on Blinken's arrival and whether it would herald news that the U.S. will allow its ally's military to use Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike deeper inside Russian territory.
Kyiv has been pressing for a change in policy, frustrated that Western restrictions have tied its hands as it fights to hold on to territory on two fronts: the 500 square miles seized in its daring incursion into Russia's Kursk border region and the strategic towns on the eastern front lines in the sights of Moscow's military.
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