The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly restricted Ukraine from using American-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. According to the Wall Street Journal, this decision is linked to President Trump’s push for peace talks with Moscow. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. military support strategy, as Washington aims to de-escalate tensions rather than escalate conflict.
The restrictions have been in place since late spring, with the Pentagon reportedly turning down multiple Ukrainian requests to launch attacks on Russia’s internationally recognized territory. This policy shift comes amid Trump’s renewed push for diplomatic engagement, following his recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Trump has also expressed concerns over the previous administration’s unconditional military aid, criticizing it as a risk of escalating the war.
Russia has warned that by supplying Ukraine with weapons, Western countries are de facto directly participating in the conflict. Moscow has listed an end to foreign military aid as one of its conditions for a lasting ceasefire. The U.S. stance on this issue has been a point of contention, with Russia accusing Western allies of undermining its position in the ongoing conflict.