Several Foreign News Services - May 30, 2024 - President Joe Biden has granted Ukraine permission to strike inside Russian territory with American munitions, but has restricted their use so Kyiv can only hit targets over the border close to Kharkiv after Russia made significant advances around the city.
This loosening of the restrictions marks a break from long-standing policy and comes amid growing international pressure from close US allies. The US has not requested permission beyond the area around Kharkiv, and Ukraine has not requested permission beyond that.
Kyiv made the request for Washington to change its policy in just the past few weeks as Russian forces have made their advance. Russian forces, ammunition depots, and logistical hubs can now be targeted with US-provided artillery and rockets across the border from Kharkiv in western Russia.
The administration is also standing firm in not allowing Ukraine to use the most formidable munition it has been given to fire into Russia: the long-range missiles known as ATACMS that can hit targets 200 miles, or 300 kilometers, away.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly signaled a willingness to change the administration's tact this week when he noted that the US could "adapt and adjust" its position.
Key European leaders signaled they had shifted position, with French President Emmanuel Macron highlighting that French weapons sent to Ukraine, including long-range missiles, were permitted to target bases inside Russia.
Germany's Scholz echoed Macron's comments and said that Ukraine was allowed to defend itself as long as it respected the conditions given by the countries that supplied the weapons, including the United States, and international law.