U.S. President Biden Approves Ukrainian Offensives Against Russia Using American Arms
Biden Sees a Shift: Allowing Ukraine to Fire U.S. Weapons at Russian Sites
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The scene is heating up as President Joe Biden loosens the reins on American weaponry in the hands of Ukraine. Now, Ukrainian forces are free to target sites within Russia close to Kharkiv, according to a report by Reuters. This policy shift in the long-standing conflict marks a significant shift for the torchbearer of democracy.
But wait, it's not a free-for-all. The ban on the deploying ATACMS missiles and other long-range projectiles inside Russian territory remains, as confirmed by a senior U.S. administration official. The big question is why has President Biden decided to act now?
The answer lies in the relentless lobbying from Ukrainian officials, U.S. lawmakers, and even international leaders like NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. They argue that the earlier restrictions have hampered Ukraine's ability to strike Russian troops near the border, gearing up for an offensive against Kharkiv. Adding fuel to the fire, Russian aircraft have been bombing civilian targets, such as a recent shopping center attack in Kharkiv.
But is this policy shift without risks? Absolutely! Washington remains hesitant about the potential fallout from Ukrainian strikes within Russia. Past Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and radar systems have been criticized for being too risky, with President Biden himself warning that using ATACMS inside Russia could incite World War III.
The delicate dance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding wider regional conflict goes on. As the conflict persists, the world watches eagerly to see how these policy adjustments shape the battlefield. The U.S. administration's support for Ukraine is a strategic balancing act, balancing the need for robust defense with the risk of escalation.
Insights:
- U.S. decision – President Biden eased restrictions in November 2024, allowing Ukraine to launch ATACMS against military targets within Russian territories, a significant shift since earlier policies only permitted striking occupied Ukrainian territories.
- ATACMS shipments – The U.S. is planning to send additional ATACMS (range up to 300 km) shipments, as reported in May 2025, with Ukrainian forces already employing these missiles in strikes against Russian military infrastructure.
- Ukraine's domestic production – President Zelensky is pushing for an acceleration of Ukraine's domestic ballistic missile program, following successful tests of local long-range systems in 2024.
- Escalation concerns – Moscow has issued warnings about long-range weapon transfers as a "red line," threatening further territorial expansion in response.
- In the realm of war-and-conflicts and politics, the U.S. policy shift allows Ukraine to directly target Russian sites.
- This change in policy, marked by President Biden, is a significant move in the long-standing conflict and signals a shift towards a more active role for the world's democracy champion.
- However, the deployment of ATACMS missiles and other long-range projectiles within Russian territory remains prohibited, despite the shift.
- The impetus for this policy change stemmed from relentless lobbying by Ukrainian officials, U.S. lawmakers, and international leaders, who argue that the earlier restrictions hampered Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian troops.
- General news and reports suggest Russian aircraft have been bombing civilian targets, adding to the urgency for policy adjustments.
- This policy shift comes with its own set of risks, as Washington grapples with the potential fallout from Ukrainian strikes within Russia. Past attacks on Russian refineries and radar systems have been met with criticism for being too risky.
- Maintaining a delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding wider regional conflict is the U.S. administration's current challenge, as they calibrate their support for Ukraine with the risk of escalation in mind.


