Biden Faces Growing Pressure to Authorize Offensive Strikes on Russia

The conflict in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture with mounting pressure on US President Joe Biden to permit the utilization of Western-provided weapons to strike targets within Russian territory.

This prospect, which has long been a source of concern due to fears of escalation, is now gaining traction among several US allies. During a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a potential shift in Washington's stance, stating that their policy on the matter would "adapt and adjust" based on the evolving battlefield conditions. Echoing a similar sentiment, the White House's national security spokesman John Kirby acknowledges that while US support for Kyiv has evolved, "right now, there's also no change to our policy."

Ukraine's efforts to counter the Russian offensive in the east coupled with the relentless attacks on the city of Kharkiv have amplified calls for more direct involvement from Western nations. French President Emmanuel Macron recently voiced his support, asserting that Ukraine should be "allowed" to use Western-supplied weapons against military sites on Russian territory, albeit with the caveat of strictly avoiding civilian targets. This shift in perspective is gaining momentum, with certain Western leaders advocating for a more proactive approach. The UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron states that it is up to Ukraine to decide how to utilize British-provided weapons while the Polish Deputy Defence Minister remarks that Ukrainians can employ Polish weapons "as they see fit."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously expressed frustration over the constraints imposed by Western nations on the use of their weapons, acknowledging the delicate balance of maintaining support from key partners. Russia has reacted with fury to the prospect of Western-supplied arms being used against targets within its borders. The Russian leader has issued stern warnings, stating that responsibility for any strikes inside the country's borders would fall on the Western arms suppliers, even if carried out by Ukrainian forces. Amidst this escalating tension, some NATO countries remain cautious. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urges against targeting Russian military bases and instead advocates for the provision of more air defence systems to Ukraine.

Nevertheless, reports suggest that Ukraine has already utilized certain Western-supplied weapons for attacks on Russian soil, albeit without public acknowledgement. The United States has been more forthcoming in granting authorization for the use of military equipment within Russian territory. To date, the US has delivered thousands of defensive weapons, tanks, and air defence systems to support Ukraine's efforts, including the advanced ATACMS missile system, capable of reaching targets up to 190 miles (300km) away.

Before this, Ukraine had been relying on drones to extend the reach of its attacks deep into Russian-controlled areas, with recent reports indicating successful strikes on an early-warning radar near the city of Orsk, approximately 932 miles (1,500km) from the Ukrainian border.