Biden’s half-measure on Ukraine sparks debate about the next step

President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S. weapons in specific situations to hit targets within Russian territory is a precursor for the next conversation.

The president’s policy reversal comes after weeks of Russian forces massing along its border to carry out attacks against Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, which is only about 20 miles from the border.

Now, Ukraine can use U.S. weapons for “counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” a State Department spokesman told the Washington Examiner. The Ukrainians are still not allowed to use “long-range strikes inside of Russia.”

Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described the president’s decision as moving “one step on the escalation ladder,” but not “racing up a ladder.”

“There will be a debate after this about whether we should take the next step at deeper targets, different targets, strategic targets, not just local tactical targets,” he told the Washington Examiner. “I think they will happen almost immediately because the European allies are moving in that direction.”

He said Russia will likely adjust its targets and tactics to reduce the significance of Biden’s policy change.

Biden’s reversal came as the United States and several NATO allies reconsidered the conditions it had put on the military aid they provided to Ukraine given Russia’s recent battlefield successes in part due to the several months the Ukrainians went without consistent U.S. assistance.

It’s the latest iteration of Biden moving up that escalation ladder Cancian referenced, which includes previous times when the president changed his mind and ultimately decided to provide Ukraine with M1 tanks, the Patriot missile defense system, and Army Tactical Missile Systems.

Several high-ranking Republican lawmakers who focus on national security argued for Biden to further loosen U.S. restrictions on Ukraine.

“Ukraine can’t win this war with one hand tied behind its back,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The Russian mainland, including just steps across the border, must not remain a total sanctuary to continue its unprovoked and illegal war. It’s about time Biden administration joined our allies in Britain, France, and even Germany in allowing Ukraine to hit back. The Administration should abandon its ‘drip-drip-drip’ policies and embrace my mantra of ‘more, better, and faster’ to arming Ukraine.”

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Similarly, Reps. Mike Rogers (R-AL), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; Michael McCaul (R-TX), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Mike Turner (R-OH), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, released a joint statement arguing the president should have made the decision “before Russia’s recent offensive in Kharkiv, not after.”

“To win this war of self-defense against Russia’s aggression, Ukraine must be allowed to use U.S.-provided weapons against any legitimate military targets in Russia, not just along the border near Kharkiv,” they added. “Once again, President Biden’s policy of slow walking and half-measures is dragging out this conflict without providing Ukraine with a decisive advantage on the battlefield to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”