By The Moscow Times | Created at 2024-11-19 13:15:16 | Updated at 2024-11-19 15:14:52
2 hours ago
The U.S. State Department confirmed Tuesday that President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles to target Russian territory, a move that the Kremlin has warned would lead to “significant escalation.”
The policy shift, first reported by the New York Times and Washington Post on Sunday, follows Ukraine’s repeated requests to use the weapons against targets in Russia and allegedly comes in response to North Korea sending troops to aid Moscow’s war effort.
Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols, who confirmed the reports, told the Brazilian news outlet O Globo that the decision was aimed at pressuring Moscow into peace talks.
“Perhaps it will begin to negotiate peace or, better yet, will simply withdraw from Ukrainian territory,” Nichols was quoted as saying at the G20 summit in Rio.
Nichols emphasized that the weapons would enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities and signal to the Kremlin that efforts to seize Ukrainian territory through force would fail.
Earlier, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to confirm the reports, saying that the U.S. would continue to adjust its support to Ukraine as needed.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described the authorized use of U.S.-made ATACMS long-range missiles against targets inside Russia as a potential “game changer.”
“The longer Ukraine can strike, the shorter the war will be,” Sybiga said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting marking 1,000 days since Russia's full invasion.
At the G20 summit, Biden reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Everyone around this table, in my view, should as well,” he said.
Earlier this week, the Kremlin accused Washington of seeking to escalate the war. And on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin approved changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, expanding conditions for nuclear use.
AFP contributed reporting.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
