The United States has quietly clipped Ukraine’s wings. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon has barred Kyiv from using American-made long-range missiles, known as ATACMS, to hit targets deep inside Russia. The restriction has been in place since late spring and wasn’t announced publicly.
These missiles, capable of reaching up to 300 kilometers—roughly the stretch from Lisbon to Porto—once gave Ukraine the ability to strike far beyond the front lines. Now, Washington has locked that option away. At least one Ukrainian attempt to fire across the border was reportedly blocked in real time.
Why the leash? The decision is tied to Donald Trump’s push to bring Moscow to the table. US officials argue that limiting Ukraine’s reach avoids dangerous escalation while nudging the Kremlin toward talks. Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, even created a special review system to regulate the use of long-range weapons supplied by the US and its allies.
The irony is sharp: just months ago, under Joe Biden, Ukraine had permission to use these same missiles against Russia. Trump dismissed that move as a mistake, saying it only worsened the war.
What it means for people
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Lower risk of direct US-Russia clash
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Fewer Ukrainian strikes beyond the front lines
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Pressure on Kyiv to accept negotiations
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Greater US control over allied weapons
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Continued uncertainty about Europe’s security
Peace may be the prize, but the path is paved with limits. Stay alert—the next move could change the war’s tempo overnight.