President Joe Biden will allow Ukraine to use long-range U.S. missiles inside Russia. What now?
Catch up: Biden has lifted his prohibition on Ukrainian airstrikes on Russian territory using American long-range missiles. The Ukrainians have had the weapons -- and similar ones provided by other NATO allies -- for some time, but their usage was restricted out of concern despite long-running Ukrainian pleas. Biden and other countries were concerned giving Ukraine the green light increased the odds of a direct confrontation between the alliance and the Kremlin.
Important to note: The exact guidance Biden has given Ukraine is unclear. It is possible the Ukrainians will only be able to use the missiles in Russia's Kursk border region, where they are trying to hold territory against a Russian surge backed by North Korean reinforcements.
Why now? Some possible motivations: Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian electrical and energy infrastructure as winter approaches. There is also speculation Biden is aiming to allow the Ukrainians to rally in the final weeks of his presidency to generate leverage for whatever ceasefire negotiations President-elect Donald Trump initiates once in office. The move could also spur France and the United Kingdom to give similar authorizations.
The reactions: Russia threatened retaliation if Ukraine uses U.S. missiles inside its territory, continuing its claims it would view such an attack as a major escalation by NATO. New bloc members Finland and Sweden are telling itscitizens to be prepared for a war to outbreak. And two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, raising suspicions of Kremlin sabotage.
