**US Eases Restrictions on Long-Range Strikes in Ukraine**
The US has eased restrictions on long-range strikes in Ukraine, allowing the country to use American missiles against targets on Russian soil. This decision has been made by outgoing President Joe Biden, who is set to leave office in January.
According to reports, Ukraine will be allowed to use its ATACMS missiles to strike against Russian and North Korean forces amassing in Russia‘s Kursk Oblast. The move has sparked concern from the Kremlin, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that it “adds fuel to the fire” and continues to provoke further escalation of tensions.
The US decision comes as Biden is set to leave office, and Donald Trump is replacing him in the Oval Office. The Biden administration had pledged to deliver as much support to Ukraine as possible before Trump takes over.
**Russian Reaction**
Several Russian lawmakers have called the step an escalation that could lead to World War III and the end of Ukrainian statehood. Russia has repeatedly set “red lines” on Western assistance for Ukraine, sometimes accompanied by veiled or overt nuclear threats.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said that long-range strikes against Russia with Western arms would mean NATO’s involvement in the war, adding that Moscow is preparing various responses to such a step.
**Biden’s Change of Heart**
Biden had been adamant about not allowing Western-supplied weapons to be used on Russian soil, fearing an escalation. However, he eased restrictions in May to allow Ukraine to use certain weaponry like HIMARS to strike at Russian troops just across the border.
The decision to ease restrictions on long-range strikes was made in the last months of Biden’s term in office, leaving it unclear whether Trump will uphold the policy after he returns to the White House.