The Pentagon has been blocking Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike the territory of the aggressor country of russia for several months, thus limiting Kyiv from using powerful weapons in the fight against Moscow's invasion. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.
According to officials, an unannounced high-level approval procedure at the US Department of Defense has prevented Ukraine from launching American long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) against targets deep inside russia since late spring. According to the publication, Ukraine tried to use ATACMS against a target in the russian federation at least once, but was refused, two officials told the publication.
It is noted that the US veto on long-range strikes has limited Ukraine's military operations as the White House tried to persuade the Kremlin to start peace talks.
According to the publication, Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby developed this procedure to address Kyiv's requests for the use of long-range weapons made in the United States, as well as those provided to Ukraine by European allies, since they receive targeting data from the United States.
It gives Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth the final say on whether Ukraine can use the ATACMS system to strike russia.
"President Trump has made it clear that the war in Ukraine must end. There has been no change in the military posture between russia and Ukraine at this time. Secretary Hegseth is working in step with President Trump," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The publication emphasized that the Pentagon and Ukrainian officials did not respond to requests for comment.
The Wall Street Journal recalls that this policy effectively overturned the decision of the former President Biden administration to allow Ukraine to strike russian territory
The journalists noted that on Thursday, Trump said on social media that Ukraine would not be able to defeat russia if it could not "play the offensive" in the war, which "has been going on for more than three years since Moscow's invasion."
"It is very difficult, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking the aggressor country. No chance of victory!" he wrote.
However, US officials said that Trump's statement did not signal a policy change that would repeal the Pentagon's approval mechanism or encourage Ukraine to use ATACMS and other long-range Western systems. However, the publication notes that a senior White House official said that Trump may change his mind about promoting expanded offensive operations against russia.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new long-range strikes on the aggressor country of russia.
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