As Ukraine’s war with Russia drags into its third year, President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to seek crucial military support from his Western allies. On September 21, Zelensky announced his intention to push for Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles on Russian targets when he visits Washington next week. This statement comes after weeks of efforts by Kyiv to gain authorization from the United States and the United Kingdom to deploy these weapons. So far, both countries have denied Ukraine the right to use Western-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory, fearing a significant escalation in the conflict.

In his address, Zelensky emphasized, “We are convincing our partners-and we will continue to talk about this next week-that Ukraine needs full long-range capabilities.” He underscored the importance of these weapons for Ukraine’s defense and the potential to shift the balance of power in the ongoing war, which has seen significant Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has been lobbying for weeks to secure permission to use long-range missiles, which it believes could be decisive in hitting key Russian military targets inside Russia. Zelensky acknowledged that the hesitation from the US and UK likely stems from concerns about escalation, as striking Russian territory could provoke a more aggressive response from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that such actions would be viewed as NATO being directly involved in the war, potentially widening the conflict.

Despite these concerns, Zelensky expressed hope that he might still convince US President Joe Biden to reconsider. “We have had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden-very interesting and difficult dialogues,” Zelensky stated. “He later changed his point of view.”

A Biden adviser confirmed that the US administration is committed to positioning Ukraine for success during the remainder of Biden’s term. This could suggest a willingness to reconsider the issue of long-range weapons, depending on how negotiations evolve in Washington.

Zelensky’s trip to Washington comes after a summer of intense fighting. Russia has made significant advances in eastern Ukraine, nearing the important hub of Pokrovsk, while Ukraine has managed to maintain control of parts of Russia’s Kursk region for weeks. These developments illustrate the grinding nature of the war, with neither side making decisive breakthroughs despite the immense toll on both their militaries and civilians.

The war, now entering its 31st month, shows no signs of ending soon. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have been largely unsuccessful, with Russia unwilling to engage in meaningful negotiations unless Ukraine surrenders four of its regions-a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

One of the potential diplomatic pathways being considered is a second international peace summit, which Zelensky is advocating for in November. He remains optimistic, stating that Ukraine’s allies believe Russia should be included in the talks. However, Moscow has already signaled its unwillingness to participate unless Kyiv meets its territorial demands.

Despite the grim outlook, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to engage in discussions, emphasizing that this summit could lay the groundwork for any future negotiations with Russia. Nevertheless, with Moscow’s stance unchanged, the likelihood of a breakthrough appears slim.

The upcoming US presidential election looms large over Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts. As he prepares to meet with key American leaders, including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican candidate Donald Trump, Zelensky must navigate a rapidly shifting political landscape.

Kamala Harris, who is vying for the presidency, has indicated her support for continuing Biden’s policies in Ukraine, including military and financial backing. On the other hand, Trump has been far more critical of US aid to Ukraine, questioning the billions of dollars sent to Kyiv. In a recent debate, Trump refused to take a firm stance on the war, raising concerns that his potential victory in the 2024 election could lead to a weakening of US support for Ukraine.

Zelensky is scheduled to meet Trump on September 25 or 26, hoping to gauge the Republican candidate’s views and possibly persuade him to maintain a strong US commitment to Ukraine. With the election on a knife-edge, Ukraine is wary of the impact a change in administration could have on its war effort.

Beyond US domestic politics, Zelensky has also dismissed peace proposals from China and Brazil earlier this year, citing their lack of specificity and the close ties both nations have with Russia. Beijing, in particular, has strengthened its relationship with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine, making any potential peace deal from these nations unlikely to align with Ukraine’s interests.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the war on the ground shows no signs of slowing. Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces had struck two Russian weapons depots, one in the south and another in the west, signaling that Kyiv is still capable of carrying out effective military operations.

Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rig resulted in the deaths of two women and a 12-year-old boy. Further strikes on Nikopol killed a 12-year-old girl and a woman in her 20s, underscoring the devastating toll the war continues to exact on civilians.

As Zelensky heads to Washington, he carries with him the hopes of not only securing crucial military support but also navigating the complex political dynamics that could shape the future of Ukraine’s war effort. Whether he can convince Biden-and perhaps even Trump-to provide the long-range weapons Ukraine seeks remains to be seen.

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