Facing increasing pressure from all sides, President Biden is considering easing restrictions that have prohibited Ukraine from using U.S.-provided weapons to target sites within Russia's borders. The move, which has been advocated by top Republicans, liberal and progressive national security officials, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aims to bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities and potentially bring the war to an end.
President Biden faces mounting pressure from various quarters to lift the ban on Ukraine using U.S.-provided weapons to strike deep inside Russia. The clamor for easing the restrictions stems from concerns that Russia has been exploiting the ban to its advantage, enabling it to launch attacks on Ukraine with impunity.
Support for removing the ban has come from across the political spectrum. A group of high-level House Republicans, including Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul, Intelligence Committee Chair Michael Turner, and Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, penned a letter to the president arguing that the restrictions have weakened Ukraine's ability to repel Russian aggression and provided Russia with a sanctuary.
Biden Under Mounting Pressure to Lift Ban on Ukraine Striking Russia with U.S. Weapons
On the other side of the aisle, a group of liberal and progressive former national security officials authored a letter calling on the U.S. and U.K. to allow unrestricted use of their weapons to strike Russian territory. They believe that the ban has emboldened Russia and urge the Biden administration to listen to Ukraine's pleas for the ability to defend itself more effectively.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly implored U.S. officials to lift the ban, arguing that it hampers Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territory and defend its citizens from Russian attacks. In response, Washington has partially lifted the ban, allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons for defensive strikes within Ukraine's sovereign territory.
Biden Under Mounting Pressure to Lift Ban on Ukraine Striking Russia with U.S. Weapons
However, the momentum is growing for a complete removal of the restrictions. A bipartisan group of House and Senate members sent a letter to the president urging him to allow Ukraine to strike all legitimate targets in Russia with U.S.- and U.K.-provided weapons. They argue that easing the restrictions would not provoke Moscow to escalate the conflict and would demonstrate support for Kyiv.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Kyiv on Wednesday to gather information on how long-range strikes would factor into Ukraine's battlefield strategy. The U.K. is also considering whether to permit Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russia with its own long-range system, the Storm Shadow.
Biden Under Mounting Pressure to Lift Ban on Ukraine Striking Russia with U.S. Weapons
While Blinken did not indicate any immediate change in policy, he stated that the U.S. would continue to adapt its support to Russia's aggression. He expects President Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the matter further when they meet in Washington on Friday.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed reservations about lifting the restrictions, arguing that there is no single capability that will decisively alter the course of the war. He also raised concerns about the potential depletion of U.S. ATACMS stockpiles if they were used to strike deep into Russia.
Biden Under Mounting Pressure to Lift Ban on Ukraine Striking Russia with U.S. Weapons
However, advocates of lifting the ban argue that Ukraine is already using ATACMS to target territory that Russia sees as its own in Crimea. They maintain that the continued prohibition hinders Ukraine's ability to fully defend itself and prolongs the conflict.
The debate over lifting the restrictions comes amidst growing concerns about Iran's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. Some worry that the U.S. has a limited number of ATACMS missiles to offer Ukraine without affecting its own readiness.
Despite these concerns, the pressure on President Biden to lift the ban is mounting. The administration is reportedly weighing the risks and benefits before making a final decision. The outcome will have significant implications for the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and the balance of power in the region.
