US President Joe Biden recently authorized Kyiv to use Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) weapons provided by the US to strike inside Russia, a move that has been met with relief by many. However, some, like Alexander Khara, the executive director of Ukraine’s Centre for Defence Strategies, feel that this authorization came too late.
Khara expressed his concerns about the timing of the decision, stating, 'We lost too much time. We are just wondering why it did not happen two years ago.' He highlighted the anxiety among Ukrainians regarding the potential actions of former US President Donald Trump, who had raised doubts about the US commitment to supporting Kyiv during his campaign.
Khara mentioned that there were fears that Trump might use Washington’s influence to push for a peace agreement that could be unfavorable to Ukraine. The ongoing conflict, which began over two and a half years ago when Russian forces invaded, has left Ukraine vulnerable and in need of strong international support.
Khara emphasized the importance of US backing for Ukraine, stating, 'If Ukraine loses its support from the US, I think we will lose.' The approval from President Biden to allow Kyiv to use ATACMS weapons to target Russia signifies a shift in US policy towards the conflict and provides Ukraine with a valuable resource in its efforts to defend itself.
