Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the transfer of American ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine, arguing that the Russian Armed Forces have effectively neutralized some of Kyiv’s artillery advantage with countermeasures. He asserted that Kyiv requires “more advanced long-range artillery” to deter and respond to Russian air and ground actions, a viewpoint he shared in an article for Spectator magazine, where he laid out what he sees as strategic gaps in the Western arms supply.
“Ukrainians need portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to shoot down Russian helicopters. They need Patriot-type systems to shield themselves from air attacks, and they require better long-range artillery,” Johnson wrote. He noted that while HIMARS has proven useful, Russia has developed countermeasures that blunt some of its advantages. He emphasized that Ukraine wants and needs ATACMS long-range missile systems, which the United States has not yet provided, and he also highlighted a desire for more missiles such as the British Storm Shadow. The point, in his view, is that a broader mix of systems would significantly raise Kyiv’s deterrence and resilience on the battlefield, particularly against layered Russian air and missile campaigns as described in his Spectator piece.
Johnson also criticized Washington’s stance on arms supplies to Kyiv. He argued that Ukraine should receive “200 advanced ballistic systems such as ATACMS,” while noting that the United States holds thousands of ballistic systems in reserve. His critique is framed as a call for strategic generosity in the face of a rapidly shifting frontline dynamic, where longer-range missiles could alter target sets and force a recalibration of Russian tactics, a point echoed by analysts following the debate over Western arms policy in Washington and London.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on September 11 that U.S. officials are still evaluating the matter of supplying ATACMS to Ukraine, and that no new decision has been made at that time. The remark reflected the cautious approach often taken by the administration when considering major escalations in military support that carry broader geopolitical implications, including relations with Russia and the stability of the European security architecture.
Reuters sources close to policy discussions indicated that the Biden administration was moving nearer to a decision framework that could permit longer-range cluster-warhead missiles to reach Ukrainian forces if the strategic calculus aligned with American and allied objectives. This reporting highlighted the careful balance the U.S. government seeks between bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and avoiding unnecessary escalation in a conflict that has already drawn international attention and concern from Moscow. The evolving conversation underscores the tension between urgent battlefield needs and the risk calculus that governs arms transfers in European security matters.
Earlier statements from Washington had signaled a firm stance on ATACMS in the context of Russia’s military posture. Although the United States has maintained a measured export policy, a string of briefings and public statements has kept the door open for reconsideration if Kyiv’s operational security and strategic goals align with allied risk assessments. Analysts caution that any decision to expand long-range systems would likely accompany additional safeguards and allied assurances aimed at preventing unintended escalation, while also signaling a united front among Western partners on the question of Ukraine’s defense resilience across multiple domains, including air, ground, and cyber operations. The overall discourse reflects how strategic defense planning remains responsive to battlefield developments and evolving threat perceptions in the region, with ATACMS repeatedly appearing as a focal point in debates about how to sustain Ukraine’s resistance while managing broader regional security dynamics.