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NBCMay 19
Biden Allows Limited Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Territory
Above: President Joe Biden attends commencement exercises for the class of 2024 at West Point on May 25, 2024 in West Point, New York. Image copyright: Spencer Platt/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden has given Ukraine approval to use American weapons to carry out limited strikes on Russian territory — green-lighting a change of policy that was previously ruled out over fears it would drag the US into direct confrontation with Russia.
Coming after days of pressure to relax the rules that had been in place, the change of policy was not initially publicly announced. Rather, it was briefed to reporters at multiple outlets by US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has since confirmed the move.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This decision, which applies only in the areas near Kharkiv, only enables Ukraine to strike Russian troops as they attack or prepare to attack and will help Ukraine better defend itself. There's no change in the broader policy of not permitting strikes on non-military sites as well as targets deep inside Russia.
Pro-Russia narrative
This is a dangerous escalation of the conflict. Russia has no choice but to eliminate these long-range weapons, in addition to the NATO personnel required to operate them, which will inevitably lead to NATO countries invoking Article 5 on collective defense. A global war is all but inevitable after this reckless move on the part of the US.