Two months before the end of his presidency, Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use US-supplied long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia, the New York Times reported, citing US officials. The newspaper writes that such a move constitutes a “major change” in the White House's policy regarding the war in Ukraine. “The muscles will speak for themselves,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the report of the American authorities, according to the New York Times, the President of the United States Biden for the first time allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by the United States for attacks inside Russia.
The newspaper writes that Biden's decision is a “significant change” in American politics. This will take place two months before the inauguration of the newly elected President Donald Trump.
“It is unclear whether Trump will reverse Biden's decision once he takes office. Trump has long criticized the scale of US financial and military aid to Ukraine and has promised to end the war quickly, without clarifying that how will this be done,” Reuters points out. . The agency writes that Ukraine is expected to conduct its first long-range attacks using ATACMS missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers in the coming days.
“NYT” adds that allowing the Ukrainians to use long-range missiles is a response to Russia's “shocking history” of bringing North Korean forces into the war.
The White House has not yet officially commented on the news.
In May, the president agreed to use U.S. weapons to strike Russian border areas along the border, but that did not include the use of ATACMS and other long-range missiles. Representatives of Kyiv have long been calling for such changes, but the administration has so far refused to make this decision. The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, claimed that the lifting of the restrictions will not change much, because Ukraine has its own weapons with a similar and longer range, and the Russians have moved some of their resources, for example, bombers that were shooting at Ukraine, to the depth of the ATACMS range. Biden was concerned that this could lead to an escalation of the conflict. The Kremlin warned that it considers such a move a significant escalation.
Zelensky: the muscles will speak for themselves
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi pointed to Biden's decision in his evening speech.
– Today, many media representatives say that we have received permission to take appropriate measures. But attacks are not made with words. Such things are not announced. The arrows speak for themselves, he said.
Sikorsky: strength discourages, weakness enrages
In this regard, the head of Polish diplomacy, Radoslaw Sikorski, also expressed his opinion that he wants to become a candidate of the Civil Alliance in the presidential elections.
“President Biden responded to North Korea's entry into the war and a massive Russian missile strike in a language that Vladimir Putin understands – by lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western missiles. Victims of aggression have the right to defend themselves. Strength does not stop, provokes weakness”, he wrote.
“Russia knows only one language – the language of power. A very good decision by the US president,” wrote Cesar Tomchik, deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense.
Russia's biggest attack in months
On Sunday, Russia carried out a series of attacks on the territory of Ukraine. It was the largest aerial bombardment since August. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched. The target was an already weak energy system. Officials said that at least 7 people were killed and the network was damaged. “Drones and missiles are targeting peaceful cities, peaceful residents and important infrastructure. This is the true response of war criminal Putin to everyone who has called and visited him recently,” said Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiha.
Ballistic Missile ATACMS John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs / DVIDS
New York Times, Reuters, PAP
Main photo: John Hamilton/White Reg Missile Range/DVDS
