Ukraine allowed to use US weapons against targets in Russia
According to media reports, US President Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to attack targets in Russia using US long-range missiles, breaking with Washington's policy so far. How will this latest development impact the course of the war?
Not decisive for the war
The BBC says the impact of this step is more psychological than military:
“The significance of the change in policy on long range weapons will be as much symbolic as strategic. Ukraine has been given limited quantities of the weapons – hundreds not thousands. US military officials have long argued that one weapon system cannot win the war, and that many key Russian targets – such as airfields – will still be out of range. Russia has already moved its jets further from the border. ... But this is still a significant psychological boost for Ukraine at a time when its defences have been crumbling.”
Danger of further escalation
Biden's decision will give this war a new dynamic, warns Visão:
“After 1,000 days the conflict in Ukraine has become a genuine theatre of war, where all kinds of new and old weapons are being tested in a real environment. This will lead to countless shifts in military thinking and strategy, with the armed forces focusing less on quantity and more on highly effective and cost-efficient destruction equipment. And Biden has now finally authorised the use of long-range weapons on Russian territory. ... This is an escalation of force that will make an impact on the Kremlin. Threats and retaliatory moves won't be long in coming.”
Kremlin is already fighting the big fight
La Stampa suspects that Russia will try to bring Ukraine to its knees before Trump is sworn in:
“Joe Biden's permission ends the long hesitation fuelled by fears of 'escalation'. But the escalation is already there for all to see, and it's being fuelled by Russia. ... The offensive by Russian troops has a clear and unambiguous goal. ... By 20 January 2025 [Donald Trump's inauguration], a large part of Ukraine's territory is to be under Russian control and the enemy on the brink of extinction. The conflict could then be 'frozen', as Donald Trump wants it to be according to various reports - and on terms that would be as favourable to Russia as possible.”
Ukraine's interests could be deprioritised
Satakunnan Kansa fears that Ukraine may end up as the big loser:
“It can be assumed that US support for Ukraine will decrease and responsibility will shift to Europe. The big concern, however, is that Europe has neither the leadership nor the resources to shoulder this responsibility. In the worst case scenario, Ukraine will be forced into a peace agreement with Russia that it finds hard to accept, despite big promises. After all, it's hardly conceivable that Russia will give up the conquered territories. ... Ukraine's interests are secondary if they stand in the way of the big countries' interests. ... From Finland's point of view this development is worrying.”