President Donald Trump has imposed new limits on Ukraine's use of American-supplied long-range missiles , effectively halting strikes ...
President Donald Trump has imposed new limits on Ukraine's use of American-supplied long-range missiles, effectively halting strikes into Russian territory and curbing its ability to take the fight directly to Moscow.
The policy, which has not been formally announced, hinges on a high-level Pentagon approval mechanism that requires Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to personally sign off on any Ukrainian request to launch long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The review process was developed by Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary for policy of the Pentagon, and also extends to European weapons systems that rely on U.S. intelligence or components, such as Britain's Storm Shadow missiles. (
According to U.S. officials, Ukraine has been blocked from launching ATACMS into Russia since late spring, despite making at least one request to do so. The Biden administration had lifted similar restrictions late last year in response to North Korean involvement in the war. But under Trump, the Pentagon has reinstated the limitations to encourage diplomatic negotiations with the Kremlin.
"President Trump has been very clear that the war in Ukraine needs to end. There has been no change in military posture in Russia-Ukraine at this time," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "Secretary Hegseth is working in lockstep with President Trump."
For now, Ukraine still holds a limited number of ATACMS delivered by the Biden administration, but no new deliveries have been authorized under Trump. The administration did approve the recent sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAMs), which could arrive in Ukraine within six weeks.
However, like the ATACMS, their use against Russian targets would require additional Pentagon approval.
Trump issues two-week ultimatum to Russia for Ukraine peace deal
The ban coincided with Trump renewing his threat to impose further sanctions on Russia if tangible progress toward a peace deal is not made within two weeks.
Speaking to reporters on Aug. 25, following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, Trump warned that the U.S. may impose sweeping new sanctions or tariffs on Russia within two weeks if no progress is made toward a peace settlement in Ukraine. Trump said he was "disappointed" with the lack of movement toward ending the nearly four-year war and hinted at a major policy decision ahead.
"I'm going to make a decision as to what we do and it's going to be, it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say it's your fight," Trump said, standing beside a photo of him and Putin from the summit.
The threat marks a sharp reversal from Trump's earlier posture. Before the meeting, he had ruled out new sanctions, suggesting that economic penalties would only push Moscow further away from the negotiating table. But a recent Russian missile strike on an American-owned factory in central Ukraine, which injured several workers, appears to have hardened his stance.
"I'm not happy about it, and I'm not happy about anything having to do with that war," he told the reporters.
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