Pentagon Bars Ukraine from Using U.S. Long-Range Missiles Against Russia
(MENAFN) The Pentagon has quietly halted Ukraine’s ability to deploy US-made long-range missile systems against Russian targets, with final authorization reportedly controlled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to media on Saturday.
This decision effectively limits Kyiv’s operational freedom in using these advanced weapons in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The restriction emerges amid growing frustration expressed by US President Donald Trump over the protracted, three-year war.
Officials revealed that a confidential, high-level Defense Department approval process has prevented Ukraine from launching any American-supplied ATACMS missiles at Russian positions since late spring. On at least one occasion, Ukraine requested to strike within Russian territory but was denied, two officials confirmed to media.
Following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders, Trump stated Friday he is reconsidering the use of economic sanctions against Moscow or even pulling out of the peace negotiations entirely.
Trump has attempted to facilitate a direct meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but progress has stalled.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told media on Friday that no agenda has been set for such a meeting.
Media also reported that Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby instituted a “review mechanism” to assess Ukraine’s requests for US long-range weapons, including European systems reliant on US intelligence or components. The ultimate decision lies with Hegseth.
On Thursday, Trump posted on social media, “Ukraine could not defeat Russia without being able to ‘play offense,’” adding: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking ... There is no chance of winning!”
US officials clarified that these comments do not signal a policy shift or removal of the Pentagon’s current review process restricting Ukraine’s use of ATACMS and other Western long-range weapons. However, a senior White House official acknowledged that Trump might still alter course to permit broader offensive operations against Russia.
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