The United States has changed its policy on Ukraine using American weapons against Russian forces. Here are the key points:
- President Biden partially lifted the ban on Ukraine striking Russian territory
- This allows Ukraine to defend areas Russia is attacking from inside its borders
- The move is a significant change in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine
Do you want to understand more about this important development and what it could mean going forward? Read on.
Ukraine Can Now Hit Back at Russian Attacks
For months, there were rules that prevented Ukraine from using U.S. weapons to attack targets inside Russia. However, President Biden has now loosened those restrictions in certain situations.
Specifically, Ukraine is allowed to strike at Russian forces if they are launching attacks from Russian territory near the border areas. This “grey zone” has become a new frontier in the ongoing war.
“It’s allowed to use [U.S. weapons] in protecting this area,” explained Ukrainian journalist Katarina Malova. She said President Zelenskyy has insisted this is “not for offensive” but rather to “defend Ukrainian territory.”
Russian troops have been pushing an offensive in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine recently. They have struck residential areas, killing and injuring civilians. Ukraine lacked a way to respond to these cross-border attacks – until now.
NATO Support for Ukraine’s Defense
At a recent NATO meeting, allies made firm commitments to back Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russian aggression.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, “Ukraine has the right to self-defence. We have the right to help Ukraine uphold that right.” He said it’s “reasonable” for Ukraine to strike back at incoming Russian artillery and missiles.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced a process for nations to negotiate new bilateral defence agreements directly with Ukraine. “We’re going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defence…to deter against any and all threats,” he stated.
Biden praised Zelenskyy, saying few expected the Ukrainian leader to mount such a strong resistance against Russia’s invasion. The long-term security support shows the West’s enduring commitment to Ukraine.
Looking Ahead
The policy change allowing Ukrainian counterstrikes is an important development, but it has limits for now. Longer-range attacks deep into Russia are still prohibited using U.S. munitions.
However, the move demonstrates Western resolve to enable Ukraine’s self-defence as Russia escalates assaults from its own territory. It could mark an inflexion point after over a year of conflict.
Only time will tell how this adjustment impacts the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine war. But will permitting Ukrainian retaliation motivate Russia to de-escalate strikes – or provoke further aggression? The consequences could be profound.
