President Joe Biden has made a significant decision to lift restrictions on Ukraine using weapons supplied by the United States against targets on Russian territory, but with a specific focus on defending the under-fire Kharkiv region, according to U.S. officials on Thursday.
The move comes after mounting pressure from Ukraine to ease the ban, as the country faces increasing attacks from Russian forces. Biden had previously resisted the calls, fearing that it could escalate the conflict and potentially involve NATO in direct conflict with Moscow.
However, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Biden has directed his team to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region. This will enable Ukraine to strike back against Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack them.
While the policy change allows for the use of long-range missiles recently sent by Washington to Kyiv, it still prohibits the use of such weapons for long-range strikes inside of Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been advocating for the use of longer-range weaponry supplied by the U.S. to target Russian military positions. Some countries, including Britain and the Netherlands, have supported Ukraine’s right to use these weapons to strike military targets in Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at the policy change on Wednesday, stating that the United States has adapted to the changing battlefield conditions. Blinken had previously visited Kyiv to assess the situation as Russia advances towards Kharkiv.
The decision to lift restrictions comes ahead of a NATO meeting in Prague, where alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg has emphasized the need to reconsider the limits that have hindered Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
The international community has been divided on the issue, with French President Emmanuel Macron supporting Ukraine’s right to “neutralize” bases in Russia used to launch strikes, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Ukraine to act within the law.
As pressure mounts on European leaders to address Ukraine’s plight, Biden is set to attend key meetings in France and Italy in the coming weeks, where the situation in Ukraine is expected to be a focal point of discussions.