In a pivotal policy shift, US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to defend against Russian military aggression in the Kharkiv region. This authorization, which has been confirmed by the Pentagon and other US officials, allows Ukraine to conduct targeted strikes against Russian military objectives near the border area. The US administration has specified that the use of long-range ATACMS missiles, capable of reaching targets 300 km away, is still off-limits. The decision comes after persistent requests from Ukraine and aligns with the support from European countries like the UK, France, and Germany, which have indicated that Ukraine has the right to use such weapons defensively. The US has provided Ukraine with medium-range air defense systems and short-range missiles as part of a €500 million weapons package from Germany. While the US and Germany have not explicitly stated the use of these weapons for attacks on Russian targets, the current policy allows Ukraine to shoot down Russian missiles and target Russian bombers operating in Ukrainian airspace. The Biden administration’s decision has been carefully calibrated to allow Ukraine to respond to Russian attacks without escalating the conflict to a global scale, as warned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As the situation develops, the Pentagon is expected to provide Ukraine with guidelines on specific targets within Russia that can be attacked using US weapons. This strategic move is seen as a response to Russia’s recent battlefield gains and aims to level the playing field for Ukrainian forces.
Key points
- US President Joe Biden authorizes Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for targeted strikes in Russian territory near the Kharkiv region.
- The use of long-range ATACMS missiles remains prohibited, maintaining a cautious approach to conflict escalation.
- European allies support Ukraine’s right to use Western weapons defensively, with Germany providing a significant new weapons package.
- The Pentagon will guide Ukraine on specific targets that can be attacked using US weapons, avoiding long-range strikes deep within Russia.
Contradictions👾Some reports suggest that Germany may agree to Ukraine using long-range weapons for strikes in Russia, while others indicate that Germany remains cautious and emphasizes that Ukraine should not use weapons that could hit deep within Russia.
