For the first time, President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia.
This decision, confirmed by one U.S. official and three individuals familiar with the matter, marks a major shift in U.S. policy as Biden approaches the end of his term. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to end the war quickly, expressing skepticism about continued U.S. support for Ukraine, according to The Associated Press.
The authorization comes in response to North Korea’s deployment of thousands of troops to support Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian assessments estimate that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long urged Biden to remove restrictions on striking inside Russia, arguing that the limitations weakened Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Critics of the U.S. restrictions warned that they jeopardized Ukraine’s chances of winning the war.
Biden had previously resisted this move, concerned about provoking an escalation that could draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia. However, the deployment of North Korean troops and a shift in momentum favoring Moscow influenced his decision.
Meanwhile, Trump, who will take office in January, has suggested pressuring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia to achieve peace. This stance has alarmed Ukraine’s allies, who fear such a settlement would primarily benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In addition to troops, North Korea has supplied Russia with significant munitions to replenish its depleted stockpiles, according to U.S. and South Korean intelligence.