U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Kyiv to show support amid Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian officials pressed for permission to use Western-provided long-range missiles against Russian targets, which Western leaders fear could escalate the war.

Lammy emphasized the critical stage of the conflict and pledged £3 billion ($3.9 billion) annually for Ukraine.

Despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s limited approval of cross-border missile use, Ukrainian leaders hope for expanded permissions, the Associated Press has reported.

The visit coincided with concerns over Russia’s acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran and looming winter hardships in Ukraine.

Written by B.C. Begley