President Joe Biden has shifted US policy, allowing Ukraine to use American-supplied ATACMS missiles against deep targets in Russia. This decision follows North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia’s Kursk region and Donald Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Biden had previously resisted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s requests to loosen restrictions on ATACMS use, concerned about provoking NATO involvement against a nuclear-armed Russia. However, Moscow’s escalation with North Korean troops demanded a US response, officials said.
Trump’s election, and his skepticism about US aid to Ukraine, added urgency to the decision, with the administration aiming to solidify Ukraine’s position before a potential reduction in US support under a Trump presidency. The move seeks to 'Trump-proof' Biden’s Ukraine agenda, one source noted.
Whilst this shift may come too late to significantly alter the conflict’s trajectory, it could help Ukraine defend its foothold in Kursk. Meanwhile, Russia has threatened retaliation, and reports suggest it may have fired an intermediate-range missile during an attack on Dnipro as a warning to NATO.
The White House declined to comment on the decision, while the State Department accused Russia of escalating the conflict by involving North Korean troops.
Read next
13:39
Kim Jong Un has accused the U.S. of escalating tensions, warning of a heightened risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. He criticized past U.S. negotiations as hostile and suggested reopening talks if the U.S. changes its approach.
09:03
President Putin warned the Ukraine war is escalating into a global conflict, blaming the US and UK for supplying weapons to Ukraine. He threatened further retaliation and emphasized Russia's readiness to respond to Western provocations.
08:28
China is open to trade talks with the US, confident it can withstand potential tariffs. The government has introduced measures to support businesses, while the central bank aims to keep the yuan stable amid trade tensions.
07:36
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te will visit Pacific allies Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu at the end of the month. Details of any U.S. stopovers, typically included in such trips, remain unclear.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment