President Joe Biden has lifted restrictions on Ukraine using US-supplied weapons against targets on Russian territory, but only for the defense of the embattled Kharkiv region, US officials announced Thursday.
Biden faced mounting pressure from Ukraine to relax the ban but had previously resisted, fearing it could lead to NATO’s direct conflict with Moscow.
“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use US-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” said a US official on condition of anonymity.
The official emphasized that the policy prohibiting the use of ATACMS or long-range strikes inside Russia remains unchanged, even with Washington recently providing these long-range missiles to Kyiv. A second US official confirmed Biden’s policy adjustment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently urged supporters, especially the United States, to permit the use of longer-range weaponry on Russian soil. Some nations, like Britain and the Netherlands, affirm Kyiv’s right to strike military targets in Russia with their supplied arms.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a potential policy shift, noting that the US had “adapted and adjusted” as battlefield conditions evolved. Blinken, who visited Kyiv recently to witness the dire situation, was reportedly advocating for Biden to relax the restrictions.
As NATO talks commence in Prague, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg has repeatedly called for members to reassess the limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities, arguing that these constraints hinder Kyiv’s defense efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron supported Ukraine’s right to “neutralize” bases in Russia used for launching attacks, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Ukraine to act within legal bounds, noting that Berlin had not provided weapons capable of hitting Russia.
Pressure is mounting ahead of crucial European meetings focused on Ukraine’s situation. Biden is set to attend D-Day ceremonies in France and will meet with world leaders at the G7 summit in Italy, where discussions on Ukraine’s plight will be prominent.
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