Republican Ukraine supporters criticize Biden for 'slow-walking' approval of strikes within Russia
Rep. Mike Turner emphasized that “President Biden should have listened to President Zelenskyy’s pleas much earlier."
TroibNews 
A pair of influential congressional Republicans criticized the Biden administration on Sunday for delaying months in permitting Ukraine to utilize long-range U.S. weapons within Russia.
Sen. Roger Wicker, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, stated, “The reported lifting of the restrictions on the Army Tactical Missile System does not excuse the administration's deliberate slow-walking of items and assistance long authorized by Congress for use against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's illegal aggression.” He added, “This devastating conflict could have been ended on terms benefiting the U.S. and NATO if Mr. Biden had listened to the counsel of bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate.”
This pivot comes as Ukrainian troops prepare for a potential attack by a large force of Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region and marks a significant change for the White House, which had previously refrained from allowing Kyiv to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) deep within Russia.
Reports from The New York Times and Reuters highlighted the Biden administration's decision to lift the restrictions, which was confirmed by a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Discussions within the administration have been contentious, but the presence of North Korean troops and ongoing territorial losses for Ukraine have intensified demands for additional military support.
This decision to ease restrictions follows Biden's other measures to increase military assistance to Ukraine, which included allowing U.S. military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for the maintenance of advanced weapon systems like F-16s and Patriot missiles. In addition, the State Department has taken steps to boost the American diplomatic presence in Kyiv.
Wicker had called for Biden to relax restrictions on U.S. contractors in Ukraine and on strikes within Russia last month. House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner echoed this critique, labeling the new authorization as “long overdue” and stating, “President Biden should have listened to President Zelenskyy’s pleas much earlier.” He urged Biden to lift any remaining constraints without detail, asserting, “President Biden continues to impose restrictions on Ukraine that prevent Ukrainians from defending themselves and prevent this conflict from ending.”
While the decision may not drastically change battlefield dynamics, Ukrainian forces are preparing for an anticipated assault of about 50,000 troops, including 10,000 from North Korea, and the long-range weapons could be effective in targeting convoys and munitions depots near the frontlines.
The Biden administration has generally opposed the widespread deployment of ATACMS in Russia due to concerns over potential reactions from Moscow and the risk of escalating the conflict. Pentagon officials have also pointed out that the limited stockpiles of ATACMS in the U.S. argue against their more extensive use by Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on Sunday that one of the key elements of his plan for victory, which he has discussed with allies, includes “long-range for our army.” He noted the reports about the new authorization but stated, “blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”
Additionally, the change is expected to enable Ukrainian forces to operate long-range Storm Shadow missiles from Britain and France within Russian territory. The Pentagon declined to comment, and White House officials did not respond to multiple inquiries.
The timing of this decision coincides with President-elect Donald Trump's commitment to quickly negotiate a peace agreement upon taking office, raising concerns that he might diminish or withdraw U.S. military support for Ukraine and push Ukraine towards unfavorable compromises.
To strengthen Ukraine's position, legislators from both parties have been urging Biden for months to ease the constraints on U.S. assistance, including the use of ATACMS strikes in Russia. Democrats have also acknowledged that this action is overdue. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Biden ally, described the move as “long overdue but still positive” and advocated for allowing Ukraine to target troop staging areas and oil refineries in Russia. He emphasized, “That petroleum is the lifeblood of Putin’s war economy.”
Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned Trump against reversing Biden's actions. He stated, “Easing these restrictions is critical to safeguarding Ukraine's infrastructure, protecting civilians, and advancing its fight for freedom."
Supporters of Trump criticized the Biden administration’s choice to lift restrictions, viewing it as a reckless escalation of hostilities right before a new administration begins. Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, stated on social media that “Biden, whose mental faculties are objectively failing, needlessly and recklessly escalates the Ukraine war, two months before [Trump] will no doubt end it.” Donald Trump Jr. echoed this sentiment, claiming, “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.”
David Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor and Trump supporter, accused Biden of attempting to hinder the incoming president, saying, “President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine. So what does Biden do in his final two months in office? Massively escalate it.”
Biden had previously agreed to provide the medium-range version of ATACMS but was hesitant to send the long-range capabilities that Ukraine desired. The medium-range missiles were employed by Ukraine to target Russian logistical sites and training facilities in occupied areas of Crimea, causing significant damage.
Ukrainian officials have insisted on the need for greater access to launch missiles within Russia, while current strikes have been confined to borders around Sumy. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has discussed potential targets in Russia, including key ammunition depots and airfields, but U.S. and Ukrainian sources have indicated that Russia has relocated most critical assets beyond the range of Ukraine's missiles.
Despite these constraints, Ukraine has managed to strike some ammunition depots through the use of improvised drones, which can evade Russian air defenses and target facilities located further from Ukraine's border.
However, with Ukraine's military position becoming increasingly vulnerable, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Ukrainian troops positioned in Kursk and made gains in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Recently, Russia launched one of its most extensive wave assaults against Ukraine, involving the firing of over 200 missiles and drones in strikes across the nation as winter approaches.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this article.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Sen. Roger Wicker, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, stated, “The reported lifting of the restrictions on the Army Tactical Missile System does not excuse the administration's deliberate slow-walking of items and assistance long authorized by Congress for use against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's illegal aggression.” He added, “This devastating conflict could have been ended on terms benefiting the U.S. and NATO if Mr. Biden had listened to the counsel of bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate.”
This pivot comes as Ukrainian troops prepare for a potential attack by a large force of Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region and marks a significant change for the White House, which had previously refrained from allowing Kyiv to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) deep within Russia.
Reports from The New York Times and Reuters highlighted the Biden administration's decision to lift the restrictions, which was confirmed by a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Discussions within the administration have been contentious, but the presence of North Korean troops and ongoing territorial losses for Ukraine have intensified demands for additional military support.
This decision to ease restrictions follows Biden's other measures to increase military assistance to Ukraine, which included allowing U.S. military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for the maintenance of advanced weapon systems like F-16s and Patriot missiles. In addition, the State Department has taken steps to boost the American diplomatic presence in Kyiv.
Wicker had called for Biden to relax restrictions on U.S. contractors in Ukraine and on strikes within Russia last month. House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner echoed this critique, labeling the new authorization as “long overdue” and stating, “President Biden should have listened to President Zelenskyy’s pleas much earlier.” He urged Biden to lift any remaining constraints without detail, asserting, “President Biden continues to impose restrictions on Ukraine that prevent Ukrainians from defending themselves and prevent this conflict from ending.”
While the decision may not drastically change battlefield dynamics, Ukrainian forces are preparing for an anticipated assault of about 50,000 troops, including 10,000 from North Korea, and the long-range weapons could be effective in targeting convoys and munitions depots near the frontlines.
The Biden administration has generally opposed the widespread deployment of ATACMS in Russia due to concerns over potential reactions from Moscow and the risk of escalating the conflict. Pentagon officials have also pointed out that the limited stockpiles of ATACMS in the U.S. argue against their more extensive use by Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on Sunday that one of the key elements of his plan for victory, which he has discussed with allies, includes “long-range for our army.” He noted the reports about the new authorization but stated, “blows are not inflicted with words. Such things are not announced. The rockets will speak for themselves.”
Additionally, the change is expected to enable Ukrainian forces to operate long-range Storm Shadow missiles from Britain and France within Russian territory. The Pentagon declined to comment, and White House officials did not respond to multiple inquiries.
The timing of this decision coincides with President-elect Donald Trump's commitment to quickly negotiate a peace agreement upon taking office, raising concerns that he might diminish or withdraw U.S. military support for Ukraine and push Ukraine towards unfavorable compromises.
To strengthen Ukraine's position, legislators from both parties have been urging Biden for months to ease the constraints on U.S. assistance, including the use of ATACMS strikes in Russia. Democrats have also acknowledged that this action is overdue. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Biden ally, described the move as “long overdue but still positive” and advocated for allowing Ukraine to target troop staging areas and oil refineries in Russia. He emphasized, “That petroleum is the lifeblood of Putin’s war economy.”
Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned Trump against reversing Biden's actions. He stated, “Easing these restrictions is critical to safeguarding Ukraine's infrastructure, protecting civilians, and advancing its fight for freedom."
Supporters of Trump criticized the Biden administration’s choice to lift restrictions, viewing it as a reckless escalation of hostilities right before a new administration begins. Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, stated on social media that “Biden, whose mental faculties are objectively failing, needlessly and recklessly escalates the Ukraine war, two months before [Trump] will no doubt end it.” Donald Trump Jr. echoed this sentiment, claiming, “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.”
David Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor and Trump supporter, accused Biden of attempting to hinder the incoming president, saying, “President Trump won a clear mandate to end the war in Ukraine. So what does Biden do in his final two months in office? Massively escalate it.”
Biden had previously agreed to provide the medium-range version of ATACMS but was hesitant to send the long-range capabilities that Ukraine desired. The medium-range missiles were employed by Ukraine to target Russian logistical sites and training facilities in occupied areas of Crimea, causing significant damage.
Ukrainian officials have insisted on the need for greater access to launch missiles within Russia, while current strikes have been confined to borders around Sumy. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has discussed potential targets in Russia, including key ammunition depots and airfields, but U.S. and Ukrainian sources have indicated that Russia has relocated most critical assets beyond the range of Ukraine's missiles.
Despite these constraints, Ukraine has managed to strike some ammunition depots through the use of improvised drones, which can evade Russian air defenses and target facilities located further from Ukraine's border.
However, with Ukraine's military position becoming increasingly vulnerable, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Ukrainian troops positioned in Kursk and made gains in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Recently, Russia launched one of its most extensive wave assaults against Ukraine, involving the firing of over 200 missiles and drones in strikes across the nation as winter approaches.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this article.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
