Biden gives Ukraine permission to attack Russia with long-range US missiles

United States President Joe Biden this Sunday approved the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine to attack Russian territory. The authorization to use these U.S. weapons in the conflict stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine represents a drastic change in Biden’s foreign policy, with just two months left before he leaves office.

At the moment, neither the White House nor the Pentagon have confirmed this, nor has the Ukrainian government of Volodymyr Zelensky. This decision was announced this Sunday by the newspaper ‘The New York Times’ as well as the Reuters agency, citing unnamed sources in the US government.

According to consultations with members of the Biden administration, the missiles are intended to launch strikes against Russian and North Korean troops to protect Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Zelensky has committed to accelerating aid to his government even before the end of his term, regardless of whether there is a new Democratic president.

Both the Times and Reuters also claim that Biden’s decision was taken due to the North Korean military’s knowledge of Russia’s support in this conflict and will try to prevent Pyongyang from sending more troops. However, they say the Democratic president is also lifting Pentagon sanctions on Ukraine’s use of weapons since Russia attacked the Kharkiv region last May.

In practice, the Ukrainian army could use American missiles with a range of about 80 kilometers until now, while from now on it will be able to hit up to 300 kilometers. Ukraine also receives this aid immediately after learning the results of the US elections, Trump is the winner and is unwilling to aid the Zelensky government in its defense against Russia.

Trump has reiterated during the campaign and after winning the election that he intends to end the war in Ukraine, although he has not specified how. His first call after his victory on 5 November had Zelensky as his interlocutor. The Republican leader has not made it clear whether he is in favor of Kiev making concessions to Moscow to guarantee a peace deal, and so far he has criticized all aid provided to Ukraine by the US.