Biden partially lifts ban on Ukraine using US arms in strikes on Russian territory, US officials say

 

President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use American weaponry to strike targets inside Russia for the specific purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. This decision, confirmed by three U.S. officials familiar with the situation, marks a significant step in U.S. support for Ukraine.

The officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, emphasized that the U.S. policy against Ukraine using American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles for offensive strikes inside Russia remains unchanged.

Biden’s directive permits U.S.-supplied weapons to be used for "counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region," enabling Ukraine to retaliate against Russian forces attacking or preparing to attack them, according to one official.

This move follows increased pressure from Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who have argued that the restriction hampers Ukraine’s ability to defend itself amid intensified Russian attacks in the northeast Kharkiv region. Kharkiv is located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Russian border.

The decision was first reported by Politico. Ukrainian leaders have been vocal about the challenges posed by the restriction, especially as Russia exploits delays in U.S. military aid and the slow pace of Western Europe's military production, affecting crucial battlefield supplies.

During a visit to Kyiv two weeks ago, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was persuaded by Zelenskyy to support Ukraine's use of American weapons against positions in Russia launching attacks into northern and northeastern Ukraine. Blinken conveyed this message to Washington, but the final decision rested with Biden, according to the U.S. officials.

Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, Biden has opposed the offensive use of American-made weaponry by Ukraine, fearing it could provoke a broader conflict with Moscow. However, Blinken, speaking in Moldova on Wednesday, indicated that U.S. policy is evolving and may change in response to the battlefield dynamics and Russia's actions.

Blinken attended a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Prague on Thursday, where he observed armored vehicles being sent to Kyiv. Despite no formal arms ban, U.S. officials have long warned that using American weapons for attacks inside Russia could provoke an escalatory response from Moscow, a risk Russian President Vladimir Putin has highlighted.

Blinken noted that the Biden administration's stance is to "adapt and adjust" as necessary. "As conditions change, as the battlefield changes, and as Russia's actions evolve, so too will our policies," Blinken said in Moldova.

Calls for policy changes are growing. French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg recently stated that Western countries should not oppose Ukraine striking inside Russia for self-defense. Stoltenberg reiterated this view on Thursday, advocating for a reconsideration of restrictions to allow Ukraine to defend itself fully. "This is a war of aggression by Moscow against Ukraine," he said, supporting Ukraine's right to strike legitimate military targets outside its borders.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, speaking at a NATO-related event in Prague, stressed the need for Ukraine to counter Russia's assault without restrictions. "Ukraine must be able to fight against Russia’s barbaric invasion, even on Russian territory," he said. Norway's foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, also affirmed Ukraine's right to defend itself under international law, including striking inside Russia.

Biden's decision comes as he prepares to travel to France for the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in Normandy, a pivotal event in World War II. Zelenskyy and other world leaders are expected to attend these commemorations.