President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are scheduled to meet at the White House on Friday to discuss the extent to which Western allies might be willing to assist Ukraine in its defense, including potentially authorizing Ukraine to employ European-made long-range missiles to strike specific targets deep within Russia.

Administration officials indicate that Starmer was expected to raise the possibility of easing restrictions on the use of Western weapons, including Britain's Storm Shadow missiles. This was part of a broader conversation about Ukraine's needs to turn the tide in a war that has now entered its third year.

Both U.K. and U.S. officials attempted to quell speculation regarding an imminent decision by Biden or a significant policy shift.

"Our position on providing long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine to use inside Russia remains unchanged, and we don't anticipate any major announcements on this front coming out of the discussions, especially not from our side," stated John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson.

Biden has been hesitant to approve Ukraine's use of advanced Western weaponry to target deep within Russia. In contrast, the U.K. has taken a more relaxed stance, suggesting that Russian airbases and other facilities used to mobilize troops and resources for attacks on Ukraine should be legitimate targets.

Biden's top advisors remain skeptical though that deep strikes would do more than provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. officials say Russia is believed to have moved more than 90% of its aircraft out of range of the system, and there is a limited supply of both the Army Tactical Missile System, or "ATACMS," and the U.K.'s Storm Shadow missiles.

A British official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the meeting's focus goes beyond individual equipment. The goal is to have an open discussion on how to equip Ukraine effectively for its defense.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued to push for long-range strike missiles, sending top advisors to Washington last month with a list of potential targets inside Russia that the Ukrainians said could be destroyed. This week, Ukrainian officials reportedly brought up the issue in Kyiv with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Both Biden and Blinken this week fueled speculation of a major policy change when asked about the discussions, with Blinken promising to deliver Ukraine's message to the president and Biden at one point telling reporters "we are working that out right now."

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that such a policy change would fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict.

"This would mean that NATO countries -- the United States and European countries -- are at war with Russia," Putin declared.

Zelenskyy stated that he has a "victory plan" he intends to present to Biden this month, a plan he believes will strengthen Kyiv and have a "psychological" effect on Russia, potentially leading to an end to the war. Speaking at Kyiv's annual Crimean Platform event, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of presenting the plan to allies before a second international summit on peace that he aims to convene later this year.

"If partners lend their support, it will simplify Ukraine's efforts to compel Russia to end the war," he mentioned.

The Biden administration has already loosened some restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons, enabling Ukraine to launch limited defensive strikes against Russian forces across its border.

While the U.S. has unequivocally expressed its support for Ukraine, it has also sought to avoid striking deep within Russian territory, viewing such an action as a major provocation that could escalate the conflict between the U.S. and NATO with Moscow.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, asserted that the U.S. remains unconvinced that a shift in policy by the U.S. and its U.K. allies would alter the course of the conflict in Ukraine.

"We're not expecting these missiles to significantly change the situation on the battlefield," the official stated regarding long-range strike missiles.