Pentagon Clarifies Delay in Authorizing Ukraine’s Use of ATACMS Missiles Against Russia

In an update from the Pentagon, the United States has clarified its hesitation in granting Ukraine permission to strike Russian territory with long-range ATACMS missiles. According to a spokesperson, Major General Pete Ryder, the U.S. remains cautious about expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.

“We do not want to see unintended consequences or escalation that could widen this conflict beyond Ukraine,” stated Ryder in an interview with Voice of America, as reported by European Truth. He emphasized that while the U.S. recently sanctioned the use of American ammunition across borders for defensive and retaliatory strikes, their policy on long-range strikes remains unchanged.

Ryder highlighted the importance of considering potential secondary and tertiary effects in terms of escalation if targets within Russia were hit, effects that may not necessarily yield strategic benefits.

Simultaneously, Ryder assured that the U.S. does not underestimate the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and will continue working with Kyiv to ensure Ukrainian forces have necessary resources for defending their sovereign territory and people.

Previously, President Joe Biden expressed opposition to potential U.S. strikes deep within Russian territory, despite granting limited authorization for Ukraine to use American weaponry against Russian targets. Kyiv, however, seeks to negotiate an expansion of this permission.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underscored Ukraine’s right to strike Russian territory, including at long distances, under the right to self-defense.