In a major policy reversal, President Joe Biden has approved the use by Ukraine of the US-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems to conduct strikes inside Russian territory. The move was announced on the sidelines of the Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. By making this decision, the US takes a bold step in the face of spiraling international unease over the conflict brewing in Eastern Europe.
The approval follows mounting pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who insisted that the current limitations on Western-supplied armaments impede Ukraine’s capability to adequately counter Russia’s aggressiveness. Zelenskyy has pressed for deeper strikes for months, saying they would be crucial for recapturing occupied territories and ensuring the country’s security.
It is a development at the most critical juncture: reports say Russia has deployed North Korean troops along Ukraine’s northern border in a fresh attempt to win back territories it lost so far amid attempts to reinforce military strength. The Biden administration, following consultation with leaders from Japan, South Korea, and China, opted to empower Ukraine, saying it was needed in the region to maintain the balance of power.
Previously, Biden had resisted such permissions, fearing it would escalate the war and draw NATO indirectly. However, Russia’s alignment with North Korea has more recently led to a revision of that decision. It also comes as newly elected President Donald Trump has vowed to bring an end to the fighting as quickly as possible, adding uncertainty about future U.S. backing for Ukraine.
While the provision of ATACMS to Ukraine would show very strong U.S. support, it does raise a number of concerns regarding the possible repercussions: increasing tensions with Russia and starting off a wider regional conflict. Experts say such developments could make for an unpredictable chain reaction that would test the resolve of both NATO and the whole international community.
The decision underlines the commitment of the U.S. to the sovereignty of Ukraine, in dynamically changing geopolitical complications. As further events unfold, eyes everywhere will be watching how these decisions sculpt the future of the conflict.
