Biden partially lifts ban on Ukraine using US weapons to strike Russia

The Biden administration has partially lifted a ban on Ukrainian forces using U.S. weapons to strike on Russian territory to defend Kharkiv, a U.S. official confirmed Thursday.

President Biden “recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-provided weapons for counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces that attack or prepare to attack them,” a U.S. official said. told The Hill.

But they stressed that the administration's policy of prohibiting the use of ATACMS or long-range strikes inside Russia “has not changed.”

The move, first reported by Politico, is a major setback in a steadfast U.S. policy to prohibit kyiv's forces from using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets across the border with Russia. Russia, a position that Washington has maintained to prevent an escalation of tensions. conflict.

Ukraine has recently stepped up pressure on US officials to change their position, while Russia has warned of “serious consequences” if Western weapons hit its soil.

kyiv reportedly asked the United States to change its policy after the Russian offensive on Kharkiv began earlier this month, with the administration granting Ukraine leeway in recent days to defend itself against attacks on border near the city, Politico reported.

But in the hour before the changes were announced, the Defense Ministry strongly denied any change in policy.

“There has been no change in our policy,” deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at the Pentagon. “The security assistance we provide to Ukraine must be used in Ukraine and we do not encourage or enable attacks inside Russia. We believe Ukraine can be effective by focusing on tactical and operational objectives that directly influence the conflict within its borders rather than addressing broader geopolitical objectives within Russia. »

Asked again about any change in U.S. policy following reports of administration reservations toward Ukraine, a Defense Department spokesperson said there are no had “no new announcements on this matter,” referring questions to the NSC.

While kyiv can now use American rockets and rocket launchers to shoot down Russian missiles or bombers firing on Kharkiv, as well as troops gathering just across the border near the city, they cannot not strike civilian infrastructure or launch long-range missiles to strike military personnel. targets far inside the other country, officials told Politico.

The administration first hinted Wednesday that the United States might change its position by authorizing strikes on Russian assets within the Kremlin's borders, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken noting that Washington has ” adapted and adjusted as well, and we will continue to do so.”

This was followed by comments from White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who said that while there was no policy change, “U.S. support for Ukraine has evolved appropriately.”

Alex Gangitano contributed reporting

Updated: 6:10 p.m.

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