Pentagon officials have revived the policy from former President Joe Biden’s era by prohibiting Ukraine from striking Russian territory with American weapons. This is reported in an article by retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery and expert John Hardie for The Wall Street Journal.
Source: Bukvy
The authors note that the obstacle to achieving the peace sought by U.S. President Donald Trump is not only Putin’s unwavering stance but also the actions of the Pentagon itself, which effectively undermines White House efforts.
According to journalists, the U.S. Department of Defense has for a long time secretly prohibited Ukraine from hitting Russian targets with American and British missiles, effectively returning to Biden-era policy. It is unknown whether Trump supported this position, but in July he intervened to restore arms deliveries that the Pentagon had suspended without warning.
Experts have urged Trump to lift the restrictions: “It is very difficult for Ukraine to defeat Russian aggression if it is not allowed to retaliate,” they emphasize.
The article states that the U.S. is already preparing several thousand Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) with a range of up to 450 km for Kyiv, capable of striking command centers and logistical hubs even under Russian jamming conditions. However, the ban on strikes on Russian territory could significantly reduce the effectiveness of this weaponry.
Analysts also believe Washington should provide Ukraine with additional long-range munitions, including ATACMS systems with a range of up to 300 km. They emphasize that the Russian army and its military-industrial complex should not have a “safe zone,” while Russia itself does not provide such protection to Ukraine.
The authors are convinced that only sufficient military and economic pressure can force Putin to change his position and agree to end the war. Concerns about escalation are called exaggerated, as previous Ukrainian strikes with Western missiles have not led to World War III or the use of nuclear weapons.
“Trump has all the tools to pressure Moscow, but for this, his administration, including the Pentagon, must act in a coordinated manner,” the authors conclude.
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