Biden to allow Ukraine to use US weapons inside Russia: Reports
The move comes as Joe Biden heads into his final months in US office, with successor Donald Trump believed to be more favorable towards Russia.
United States President Joe Biden (right) has been an ally of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) but has previously refused to sanction the use of US-supplied weapons in Russia
By Tips & Tricks News Guide
18 Nov 2024
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has reportedly approved Ukraine's use of American-supplied weapons for strikes within Russian territory, according to multiple news outlets, including Reuters, the Associated Press, and *The New York Times*.
Three sources, including two U.S. officials, told Reuters on Sunday that Ukraine intends to launch long-range attacks with these weapons in the coming days.
The White House has not responded to the reports, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at the situation, stating that the missiles would "speak for themselves."
"Today, many in the media suggest we have received permission to act accordingly," Zelenskyy said in his evening address. "But strikes are not carried out with words. Such actions are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves."
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the reports, remarking that the U.S. is addressing Russia in "a language that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin understands."
Russian lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov warned that permitting Ukraine to strike within Russia using U.S.-supplied missiles could trigger a third world war, according to the state news agency TASS. He also stated that Russia's response would be swift and decisive.
President Joe Biden’s decision comes as he prepares to leave office in two months, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take over on January 20.
Trump and members of his incoming administration have expressed skepticism about providing extensive support to Ukraine in its war against Russia. It remains unclear whether Trump will overturn the decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes within Russian territory.
The Republican leader has pledged to end the war quickly but has not outlined specific plans for achieving this.
According to sources cited by Reuters, Ukraine is expected to deploy U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km). Kyiv is seizing the opportunity to act while the current U.S. administration remains supportive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been lobbying for months to secure permission to target sites deep inside Russia using these weapons.
According to reports in the French newspaper *Le Figaro*, the UK and France are also expected to permit Ukraine to use their long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia. Al Jazeera’s diplomatic correspondent James Bays noted that the “aim of these Western nations is to support Ukraine, particularly in the Russian-occupied area of Kursk.”
Moscow has previously warned that any move by Washington to ease restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied weapons would be viewed as a significant escalation.
This U.S. decision marks a notable policy shift and provides a major boost to Ukraine, which has struggled to counter Russian attacks on its cities and critical infrastructure.
President Joe Biden had long resisted allowing U.S. weapons to be used against Russia, concerned it could draw the U.S. and NATO into a direct confrontation with Moscow. However, with the war’s momentum tilting in Russia’s favor, Biden appears to have reconsidered.
North Korea has reportedly deployed thousands of soldiers to support Russia in its efforts to reclaim territory in Kursk, which had been lost to Ukraine.
Moscow anticipates that Trump could be a more favorable negotiator, potentially pressuring Kyiv to concede territory currently under Russian control in eastern and southern Ukraine.
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