Joe Biden has authorized [1] Ukraine to use U.S.-provided long-range missiles on targets inside Russian territory, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
Image Credit: © Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK
Biden Makes Major Policy Change On The Russia-Ukraine War, ‘Massive Escalation’ [WATCH]
Posted By RVM News Staff On In News | 1 CommentThe decision marks a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in the conflict, as such actions had previously been avoided to prevent direct confrontation with Russia.
President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine. So what does Biden do in his final two months in office? Massively escalate it. Is his goal to hand Trump the worst situation possible? pic.twitter.com/T247E88xCX [2]
— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) November 17, 2024 [3]
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to respond to the announcement, but he has previously warned that allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western weapons would be tantamount to an act of war.
The announcement follows a wave of missile and drone attacks launched by Russia on Saturday, targeting Ukraine’s power and energy infrastructure.
The assault, involving over 200 missiles, was one of the largest in months and further strained already fragile supply lines and civilian services in Ukraine.
Biden’s decision also came after Great Britain and France authorized Ukraine to use SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles in attacks against Russian targets, according to a report by Le Figaro.
Putin has long argued that such measures signal direct NATO involvement in the war.
In September, he stated that any approval for Ukraine to strike Russia with Western missiles effectively meant NATO countries were participating in the conflict. “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,” Putin said.
In September, Russian President warned that NATO will enter a direct war with Russia if Ukraine uses long-range Western missiles to strike inside Russia.
Today, US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to strike inside Russia using Western missiles.
pic.twitter.com/gCAipW2M1x [4]
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 17, 2024 [5]
Putin further claimed that the deployment and targeting of these missile systems would require NATO military personnel, asserting that Ukrainian forces lack the capability to program and deploy such advanced weaponry independently.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly preparing to announce a peace envoy to mediate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
During his campaign, Trump frequently criticized Biden’s handling of the conflict and asserted that he could bring a resolution before taking office.
Some advisers within Trump’s camp have proposed a controversial plan to freeze the current frontlines, creating an 800-mile demilitarized zone.
This proposal would allow Russia to retain control of roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory that it has seized since the war began.
Critics argue that this approach could legitimize Russia’s illegal annexations and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The plan also reportedly includes a stipulation requiring Ukraine to agree not to pursue NATO membership for 20 years, a concession that critics claim aligns with Putin’s demands.
Supporters of the proposal argue it could bring an end to the costly and protracted conflict, while opponents warn it risks emboldening Moscow.
As Trump continues to unveil his picks for key positions in his Cabinet and advisory teams, his approach to the war in Ukraine is expected to be a cornerstone of his foreign policy strategy.
While Biden’s decision to escalate military support for Ukraine intensifies tensions, Trump’s proposed peace negotiations could chart a markedly different course in U.S. involvement in the conflict.
With Ukraine poised to begin using U.S. long-range missiles against Russian targets, the stakes in the nearly two-year conflict have reached new heights.
How these developments will shape the future of the war remains uncertain, as Biden’s authorization and Trump’s impending peace initiatives present starkly contrasting paths forward.