With just two months remaining in his term, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to target Russian and North Korean forces inside Russia’s Kursk region.
The decision marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and raises tensions as Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of potential retaliation against Americans.
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a supersonic missile capable of striking targets up to 190 miles away, had previously been restricted for use within Ukrainian territory.
Biden’s decision follows North Korea’s deployment of 10,000 elite troops to aid Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, a move the Biden administration views as a significant escalation.
The decision comes as the Biden administration seeks to bolster Ukraine’s position before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
Trump has signaled his intention to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine but has provided few details on his approach. During his previous tenure in the White House Trump showed no unwillingness to abandon allies, such as the Syrian Kurds, or quietly surrender, as he did in February 2020, leaving the Taliban in control of Afghanistan and foisting a disastrous withdrawal on his successor.
Analysts speculate that Biden’s move aims to establish conditions favorable to Ukraine in any forthcoming negotiations.
“The president is committed to ensuring Ukraine has the tools it needs to defend itself,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a meeting with European allies in Brussels. He emphasized that the administration’s focus is on creating leverage for Ukraine in the remaining weeks of Biden’s term.
The arrival of North Korean forces in Kursk has intensified the conflict, freeing Russian troops to concentrate on other fronts and aiding Moscow in its efforts to regain lost territory. U.S. officials hope the deployment of ATACMS will deter further involvement by Pyongyang, with one official describing the measure as a “necessary response” to the growing threat.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the decision, stating it added “fuel to the fire” and constituted a significant escalation in U.S. involvement. Russian officials have accused the Biden administration of attempting to undermine Trump’s future peace efforts.
While the Biden administration frames the move as a limited and tactical step, critics warn of broader consequences. The introduction of U.S.-supplied long-range weapons capable of striking deep within Russia could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Putin has previously described such actions as crossing a “red line” and has hinted at changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine to address the involvement of NATO allies.
The escalation also complicates the global security landscape, with tensions flaring across multiple regions, including the Middle East. Analysts note that the timing reflects the administration’s desire to solidify its legacy while setting the stage for the incoming administration.
Trump’s election victory has sparked cautious optimism in Moscow, where officials hope his presidency could lead to a recalibration of Western support for Ukraine.
However, Trump’s unpredictability and campaign rhetoric about negotiating “from a position of strength” leave many questions unanswered.
As both sides prepare for potential peace talks, the battlefield dynamics in Ukraine continue to evolve, with the Biden administration aiming to shape the narrative in its final weeks. Whether this latest escalation will bring Ukraine closer to a resolution or further entrench the conflict remains to be seen.