Biden has pivoted to allow Ukraine to use US missiles in Russia. Why now?
Al Jazeera
Analysts point to shifting realities on battlefield, looming Trump presidency as likely reasons behind the long-awaited move.
United States President Joe Biden has made unceasing support for Ukraine during Russia’s invasion a hallmark of his one-term presidency, using his office to funnel weapons and aid to Kyiv while wrangling Congress to keep the US purse strings loose.
But one issue has remained a key sticking point: Biden has refused to allow Ukraine to use US-provided, long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) inside Russian territory amid warnings from Moscow that their use would represent the crossing of a red line.
But with just more than two months left in his term – and a second administration of US President Donald Trump looming – Biden’s government has pivoted on the policy, and Ukrainian and US officials told the Reuters news agency and several US media outlets that the weapons had been used in Russia for the first time.
Moscow also said on Tuesday that six ATACMS had been fired at its Bryansk region, in what it said represented a “new phase” in the war.
So why now?
