President Joe Biden has approved the lifting of restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range weapons, a decision that will enable Kyiv to strike targets within Russian territory, according to a U.S. official who confirmed the policy change to CBS News on Sunday. This development marks a major shift in U.S. policy during the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as Ukraine seeks to counter increasing pressure from Moscow's forces.
The policy change allows Ukraine to employ Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles. The move comes amid reports of approximately 10,000 North Korean troops being sent to Kursk near Ukraine's northern border, further complicating the situation. While the White House National Security Council declined to comment, the decision is anticipated to improve Ukraine's position on the battlefield and potentially strengthen its negotiating leverage for future peace talks.
As Biden prepares to leave office, President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit U.S. involvement in the conflict, aiming to expedite its resolution. In a Friday interview with Suspilne, a Ukrainian media outlet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism that diplomatic efforts to end the war could accelerate under Trump's administration. "It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens," Zelensky stated.
Zelensky and other Western leaders have repeatedly requested permission to use U.S.-made weapons to target Russian military installations beyond Ukraine's borders. The Biden administration had resisted these requests, citing concerns over escalation. However, growing calls from some congressional Republicans and the arrival of North Korean troops have shifted the administration's stance. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump ally, voiced strong opposition, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, "On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of U.S. long range missiles into Russia."
Trump supporters expressed similar sentiments, accusing Biden of escalating the conflict in his final months as president. Venture capitalist David Sacks criticized the move, writing, "President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine. So what does Biden do in his final two months in office? Massively escalate it."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government have issued warnings regarding potential strikes on Russian soil. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted Putin's previous remarks, warning that the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russia would be viewed as direct participation in the conflict by the United States and NATO, potentially transforming the nature of the conflict.
The National Security Council and the Pentagon have both refrained from publicly addressing Biden's decision, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the administration's commitment to military support for Ukraine. "We will continue to shore up everything we're doing for Ukraine to make sure that it can effectively defend itself against this Russian aggression," Blinken said during remarks at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has expressed concerns about North Korea's involvement in the conflict, with around 10,000 elite troops reportedly arriving in Kursk to support Russian forces. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized Washington's apprehension over this development, which adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing war.
As reactions pour in from across the political spectrum, Trump's communications director Steven Cheung reiterated the former president's stance, stating that Trump "is the only person who can bring both sides together in order to negotiate peace, and work towards ending the war and stopping the killing." Trump himself has previously asserted that he could end the war within 24 hours if given the opportunity to negotiate with Zelensky and Putin.
