A US official told AFP on condition of anonymity that US President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to use long-range US missiles against military targets inside Russia, confirming media reports. has given
The New York Times and Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said Ukraine’s long-standing demand for a change in policy was in response to North Korea’s deployment of troops to aid Moscow’s war effort.
A US official who spoke to AFP confirmed the reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has consistently pressed Washington to allow the powerful Army Tactical Missile System, known by its initials ATACMS, to be used to strike targets inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a green light would mean NATO is “at war” with Russia – a threat he made earlier when pro-Ukraine supporters increased their military aid to Kiev. .
Newspapers said the shift in the outgoing Biden administration’s stance was prompted by the arrival of North Korean troops in Russia, with Western intelligence reports that as many as 10,000 troops are being deployed.
US officials have previously said they believe the ATACMS missiles will make a limited difference to the Ukraine campaign and also want to ensure Washington does not run out of its own arsenal.
The U.S. shift is likely to have broader ramifications and lead European allies to reconsider their stance.
The United States and the United Kingdom have provided ATACMS and Storm Shadow long-range missiles to Ukraine, respectively.
Germany has refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) over fears they could hit Russian territory.
Biden’s decision comes as he prepares to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to end the conflict through negotiations that are expected to result in Ukraine ceding territory. will be forced to.
