The US and Ukraine are discussing the supply of weapons for use in a Crimean offensive.

The Biden administration is inclined to agree that it is necessary to provide Kyiv with weapons for the task of striking Crimea, the NYT reports. The US position on the issue was softened after the Biden administration became convinced that if the Ukrainian military demonstrated to Russia that its control of Crimea was under threat, it would strengthen Kyiv’s position in future negotiations. In addition, fears that the Kremlin would retaliate with tactical nuclear weapons have eased, although risks remain. Now the Biden administration is considering one of its boldest moves yet – helping Ukraine to move to retake the peninsula. American officials are discussing with their Ukrainian counterparts the use of American-supplied weapons, from HIMARS missile systems to Bradley fighting vehicles, for these purposes. However, Biden is not yet ready to provide long-range missile systems.