Biden allows Ukraine to use US arms in Russia

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday downplayed the threat of escalation from Moscow after the United States authorized Ukraine to use American weapons to hit targets inside Russia.

“This is part of President Vladimir Putin and Moscow’s efforts to prevent NATO allies from supporting Ukraine’s self-defense,” Stoltenberg told journalists at a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting. “Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and we have the right to help them.”

U.S. President Joe Biden secretly lifted restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons against Russian targets, specifically to defend the embattled Kharkiv region, according to U.S. officials on Thursday.

Biden faced increasing pressure from Ukraine to ease this ban, but he had resisted due to concerns it could draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia or even a nuclear standoff.

“The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use U.S.-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region, allowing them to strike back at Russian forces,” a U.S. official said.

“Our policy prohibiting the use of ATACMS or long-range strikes inside Russia has not changed,” the official added, referring to the long-range missiles recently sent by Washington to Kyiv.

A second U.S. official confirmed Biden’s policy shift, which comes as Russian forces intensify their offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging the U.S. and other allies to permit the use of longer-range weapons to hit Russian targets.

Following a six-month delay, the U.S. has been rushing arms to Ukraine after Congress passed a substantial military aid package in April. However, Biden had been reluctant to permit cross-border strikes.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted that Biden might be reconsidering his stance, stating that Washington had “adapted and adjusted.”

Biden’s change in policy followed weeks of discussions between the White House, top U.S. military officials, and State Department officials after Russia’s offensive on Kharkiv began on May 10.

Ukraine requested permission to use U.S. weapons on Russian territory on May 13. Biden agreed in principle on May 15 after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan advocated for Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

Biden then met with Blinken on May 17, who had recently visited Kyiv to observe the deteriorating situation as Russia advanced towards Kharkiv. After finalizing the details, Biden gave his approval, but the decision was kept confidential for operational reasons until Thursday.

The White House clarified to Kyiv that permission for cross-border attacks was limited to targets just over the border, used by Russia to launch offensives.

Officials indicated that the influx of U.S. arms had stalled the anticipated Russian offensive, preventing the possible capture of Kharkiv city.

Ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague, Stoltenberg reiterated that it was time for member states to reconsider the restrictions on Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron also suggested a shift on Tuesday, saying Ukraine should be allowed to “neutralize” bases in Russia used for launching strikes.

Some countries, including Britain and the Netherlands, had already stated that Ukraine had the right to use their weapons to strike military targets in Russia.

Biden’s policy change comes just before he heads to Europe for meetings focused on Ukraine’s situation. He will attend D-Day commemoration ceremonies in France in early June, where Zelensky will also be present.

Biden will also meet leaders of the world’s top economies at the G7 summit in Italy. However, Zelensky has criticized Biden for planning to skip a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, which coincides with a fundraiser for the U.S. president hosted by Hollywood stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts.