(Scypre.com) – President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine’s military to deploy U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against targets within Russian territory, according to a report by The New York Times on Sunday. The report, which cites unnamed U.S. officials, marks a notable shift in U.S. policy amid the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has previously warned that such actions would be considered an act of war, has not yet responded to Biden’s announcement. The White House declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
NATO Allies Signal Support Amid Intensified Conflict
The decision comes shortly after France and the United Kingdom granted Ukraine permission to utilize SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets, as reported by Le Figaro on Saturday. Biden’s announcement coincided with one of the largest missile and drone offensives launched by Russia in recent months, which targeted critical energy and power infrastructure across Ukraine. Over 200 missiles and drones were reportedly deployed in the operation.
The escalation has reignited concerns over the potential for direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Putin has previously asserted that any approval for Ukraine to strike Russian territory with advanced missile systems would signify a direct entry of NATO and the United States into the war.
“Flight assignments for these missile systems can, in fact, only be entered by military personnel from NATO countries. Ukrainian servicemen cannot do this,” Putin said during remarks in September. “It is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian regime to strike Russia with these weapons or not. It is a question of making a decision whether NATO countries directly participate in the military conflict or not.”
He added, “If this decision is made, it will mean nothing less than the direct participation of NATO countries, the United States, and European countries, in the war in Ukraine.”
Potential Shift Under President-Elect Trump
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Washington is shifting as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Trump has pledged to address the Ukraine-Russia conflict quickly and has hinted at pursuing negotiations aimed at de-escalating the crisis.
According to sources close to Trump’s transition team, discussions are underway about appointing a peace envoy to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. Trump, who argued during his campaign that he could resolve the conflict before taking office, has faced pressure from advisers advocating for a diplomatic resolution.
Some advisers have reportedly suggested a controversial plan that would involve Ukraine agreeing to freeze the current frontlines by establishing an 800-mile demilitarized zone. This proposal would effectively allow Russia to retain control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory that it has seized since the conflict began. Additionally, there is talk of Ukraine agreeing to delay its pursuit of NATO membership for the next two decades, a concession critics argue would appease Putin while undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.
Criticism and Strategic Calculations
The proposed terms have drawn criticism from several quarters, with opponents arguing that they would reward Russian aggression and weaken Ukraine’s ability to maintain its independence. Proponents, however, argue that such measures could bring a halt to the bloodshed and create a foundation for long-term stability.
As the Biden administration moves forward with its decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missile capabilities, the international community watches closely. The unfolding events underscore the precarious balance between supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and avoiding further escalation into a broader NATO-Russia confrontation.