President Biden has partially lifted the ban on Ukraine using U.S.-provided weapons for strikes inside Russia. This decision, announced Thursday, permits Ukraine to target Russian positions near the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to three U.S. officials speaking to CBS News.
The newly granted permission allows Ukrainian forces to strike concentrations of Russian troops and artillery pieces in the Belgorod region of Russia. One U.S. official clarified that Ukraine is permitted to shoot down Russian airplanes over Russian soil if they are attacking Ukraine. However, the use of U.S.-provided long-range equipment, such as the ATACMs, remains prohibited to avoid escalating direct U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Ukraine’s request for this permission was made earlier in May, with General C.Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, revealing the request shortly after. The decision was unanimously supported by Biden’s advisers, with official approval from President Biden coming only recently. The move aligns with the positions of the U.K., France, and Germany, who have already allowed their weapons to be used similarly.
The permission is strictly limited to counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Moldova, hinted at this policy adjustment, emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to adapting its support for Ukraine as necessary.
A senior U.S. official confirmed that the U.S. and Ukraine are nearing the completion of a 10-year bilateral security agreement. This deal, expected to be finalized at the upcoming G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, will enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including the provision of artillery, ammunition, air defense systems, and other weapons. The agreement underscores the U.S.’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense and its coordination on countering Russian aggression.
