President Joe Biden has hinted that Washington may soon lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, potentially fulfilling one of Kyiv’s most repeated requests for support in its defense against Moscow’s ongoing invasion.
Ukraine has long argued that these restrictions have left them fighting with “hands tied” against Russian forces.
Biden’s comments come as the US faces increased pressure to provide Ukraine with more flexible use of advanced weaponry. When asked by reporters on Tuesday whether the US would allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory with long-range weapons, Biden said his administration was “working that out now.”
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US has been hesitant to authorize weapons that could target areas deep within Russia, fearing it could escalate the conflict. While some restrictions have already been loosened—allowing Ukraine to strike Russian border regions where troops are firing from—Washington has resisted more aggressive requests.
Kyiv has also received long-range weapons from other allies, but restrictions on their use remain out of concern that strikes deep inside Russia could provoke retaliation or even a nuclear conflict, potentially drawing NATO into the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly criticized the slow pace of weapons deliveries and has sought permission to target Russia with Western missiles.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western weapons could lead to a wider war. “Constant escalation can lead to serious consequences,” he said in May, cautioning that responsibility for any strikes within Russia would lie with Western arms suppliers, even if Ukraine executed the attacks.
Biden’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently accused Iran of supplying Russia with short-range ballistic missiles. These weapons could soon be used to bolster Russia’s arsenal and strike Ukrainian cities near the Russian border, Blinken warned.
The US, UK, France, and Germany responded by imposing fresh sanctions on Iran for its military support of Russia. These measures include travel bans, asset freezes on key individuals, and restrictions on Iran Air’s ability to operate in the UK and Europe.
Iran has denied supplying such weapons to Russia, but UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Iran’s actions “a significant and dangerous escalation.”
Blinken and Lammy are set to travel to Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky, where they will discuss Ukraine’s objectives and how the West can further assist in its defense.
Blinken emphasised that the visit is an opportunity to “hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership” on how best to support the country’s needs amid escalating challenges.
Chioma Kalu
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