Ukraine Plans to Provide Biden Administration with Potential Targets for Strikes in Russia, If Permitted
U.S. officials maintain that lifting the restrictions will not significantly affect the situation on the ground.
TroibNews 
Ukrainian officials are preparing to present a targeted list of long-range objectives within Russia to senior U.S. national security officials, aiming to demonstrate that Kyiv's military could successfully strike these sites if Washington were to relax its restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons.
This list represents Ukraine's final push to persuade the U.S. administration to modify its stance on limitations regarding American arms utilized within Russia. While Ukraine has previously shared potential targets with the U.S., this new list is designed to be more specific and focused.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s defense minister, along with Andriy Yermak, principal adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are scheduled to visit Washington this week to present their findings during their discussions with U.S. officials, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
For months, U.S. officials have maintained that lifting these restrictions would not significantly alter the dynamics of the war, noting that Russia has relocated its key targets, including aircraft, further away from the border and beyond Ukraine's current reach.
Nevertheless, Kyiv has identified numerous high-value targets that could be struck with U.S.-supplied missiles, according to the sources. It hopes this new list will strengthen its appeal to President Joe Biden to reconsider the restrictions.
Zelenskyy stated, “There should be no restrictions on the range of weapons for Ukraine, while terrorists have no such restrictions. Defenders of life should face no restrictions on weapons.”
The individuals who spoke to PMG were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive discussions. Both the National Security Council and the Pentagon have refrained from commenting.
Umerov and Yermak's visit coincides with Ukraine's ongoing operations in the Russian border area of Kursk and its efforts to recover from a significant missile attack on its energy infrastructure by Moscow.
Ukrainian officials have consistently urged the Biden administration to remove restrictions on U.S. weapons to enable more effective offensives within Russia and to push Russian troops back from the border. From the outset of the conflict, the administration has expressed concerns that doing so could provoke Russia into launching more aggressive attacks against Ukraine.
Although the risk of escalation remains a priority, the Biden administration has recently emphasized its belief that there are minimal tactical benefits, especially with Russian assets being moved to locations beyond reach. Additionally, the administration assesses that Ukraine currently lacks sufficient Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMs) — the long-range missiles it seeks — to effectively target high-value locations within Russia. Many of these missiles are currently being utilized by Ukraine in operations within Crimea, where the Biden administration believes Ukraine is performing successfully. The U.S. also has a limited supply of ATACMs available for transfer to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials and lawmakers assert that removing all restrictions is crucial for their war strategy, arguing it would allow their military greater latitude to engage Russia domestically.
Details about Umerov and Yermak's arrival in Washington and their planned meetings in the U.S. are not yet clear. Historically, during previous visits, these officials have engaged with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
In a Monday briefing, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed there were “no changes” to U.S. policy regarding the restrictions. He remarked, “This is not a new desire by President Zelenskyy by any stretch. But as I've said many, many times, we'll keep the conversations with the Ukrainians going, but we're going to keep them private.”
Some Ukrainian lawmakers and officials have reported indications that portions of the Biden administration might be weighing the possibility of lifting the restrictions soon. A Democratic lawmaker familiar with the discussions noted that the administration was contemplating Kyiv’s request, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
While the White House has not publicly acknowledged any plans to alter its policy, a phone conversation between Zelenskyy and Biden took place on Friday, where they did not specifically address the request to remove restrictions, according to a U.S. official who was briefed on the call.
The two leaders did, however, discuss broader topics, including Kyiv's requests for additional long-range weaponry, Russia's movements in Pokrovsk, and Ukraine's strategies in response to these developments, alongside efforts to advance in Kursk.
Following the discussion, Biden announced a new military assistance package worth $125 million for Ukraine, and the U.S. also implemented additional sanctions against Russia on the same day.
Kyiv and Washington are coordinating efforts for an in-person meeting between Biden and Zelenskyy at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in New York next month, as indicated by the U.S. official.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
This list represents Ukraine's final push to persuade the U.S. administration to modify its stance on limitations regarding American arms utilized within Russia. While Ukraine has previously shared potential targets with the U.S., this new list is designed to be more specific and focused.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s defense minister, along with Andriy Yermak, principal adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are scheduled to visit Washington this week to present their findings during their discussions with U.S. officials, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
For months, U.S. officials have maintained that lifting these restrictions would not significantly alter the dynamics of the war, noting that Russia has relocated its key targets, including aircraft, further away from the border and beyond Ukraine's current reach.
Nevertheless, Kyiv has identified numerous high-value targets that could be struck with U.S.-supplied missiles, according to the sources. It hopes this new list will strengthen its appeal to President Joe Biden to reconsider the restrictions.
Zelenskyy stated, “There should be no restrictions on the range of weapons for Ukraine, while terrorists have no such restrictions. Defenders of life should face no restrictions on weapons.”
The individuals who spoke to PMG were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive discussions. Both the National Security Council and the Pentagon have refrained from commenting.
Umerov and Yermak's visit coincides with Ukraine's ongoing operations in the Russian border area of Kursk and its efforts to recover from a significant missile attack on its energy infrastructure by Moscow.
Ukrainian officials have consistently urged the Biden administration to remove restrictions on U.S. weapons to enable more effective offensives within Russia and to push Russian troops back from the border. From the outset of the conflict, the administration has expressed concerns that doing so could provoke Russia into launching more aggressive attacks against Ukraine.
Although the risk of escalation remains a priority, the Biden administration has recently emphasized its belief that there are minimal tactical benefits, especially with Russian assets being moved to locations beyond reach. Additionally, the administration assesses that Ukraine currently lacks sufficient Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMs) — the long-range missiles it seeks — to effectively target high-value locations within Russia. Many of these missiles are currently being utilized by Ukraine in operations within Crimea, where the Biden administration believes Ukraine is performing successfully. The U.S. also has a limited supply of ATACMs available for transfer to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials and lawmakers assert that removing all restrictions is crucial for their war strategy, arguing it would allow their military greater latitude to engage Russia domestically.
Details about Umerov and Yermak's arrival in Washington and their planned meetings in the U.S. are not yet clear. Historically, during previous visits, these officials have engaged with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
In a Monday briefing, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed there were “no changes” to U.S. policy regarding the restrictions. He remarked, “This is not a new desire by President Zelenskyy by any stretch. But as I've said many, many times, we'll keep the conversations with the Ukrainians going, but we're going to keep them private.”
Some Ukrainian lawmakers and officials have reported indications that portions of the Biden administration might be weighing the possibility of lifting the restrictions soon. A Democratic lawmaker familiar with the discussions noted that the administration was contemplating Kyiv’s request, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
While the White House has not publicly acknowledged any plans to alter its policy, a phone conversation between Zelenskyy and Biden took place on Friday, where they did not specifically address the request to remove restrictions, according to a U.S. official who was briefed on the call.
The two leaders did, however, discuss broader topics, including Kyiv's requests for additional long-range weaponry, Russia's movements in Pokrovsk, and Ukraine's strategies in response to these developments, alongside efforts to advance in Kursk.
Following the discussion, Biden announced a new military assistance package worth $125 million for Ukraine, and the U.S. also implemented additional sanctions against Russia on the same day.
Kyiv and Washington are coordinating efforts for an in-person meeting between Biden and Zelenskyy at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in New York next month, as indicated by the U.S. official.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
