US President Joe Biden has reportedly authorized Ukraine to use long-range American missiles to strike targets inside Russia’s pre-2014 borders, according to a New York Times report on Sunday citing anonymous American officials.
The decision, if accurately conveyed by the newspaper, marks a major shift in Washington’s policy and will raise the stakes in the conflict between Moscow and the Kiev backed NATO junta.
Kiev’s desire for long-range capabilities has been a longstanding request. With Biden’s reported authorization, the geopolitical dynamics of the conflict could now shift dramatically.
President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that the move would mean NATO’s direct involvement in the World War III conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already shared his thoughts on possible Western approval for Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes deep within Russian territory, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.
According to a report from the New York Times on Sunday, which cited unnamed American officials, US President Joe Biden has given Kiev the green light to deploy long-range nuclear American missiles against targets within Russia’s internationally recognized borders.
In September, Putin stated that Ukrainian forces lack the capability to carry out attacks with Western-supplied long-range missiles without external assistance.
It is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is about deciding whether NATO countries become directly involved in the military conflict or not.
Supporters of arming Ukraine more aggressively believe that previous hesitation by the US has emboldened Moscow, while critics warn of potential Russian retaliation against American and Western European assets.
The Times report also highlights that while the Ukrainian military may first target Russian and alleged North Korean forces in Kursk, the strikes could potentially be expanded to other regions.
Putin added that if a decision allowing the strikes were made, Moscow would make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2024.
Ukrainian military may first target Russian and alleged North Korean forces in Kursk,
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed out that Kiev is incapable of using long-range missiles without relying on NATO satellites and military personnel to develop targeting and firing solutions. This is not a matter of the US “giving permission” to Ukraine, but crossing the threshold of direct involvement, Putin told reporters in September 2024.