At the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, a storyline emerged that could reshape the dynamics of the war in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, raised a question long considered off-limits: lifting restrictions on using American long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia. The Wall Street Journal and other reputable outlets report this, citing sources familiar with the talks.
This is not just about supplying missiles — Ukraine has long received U.S.-made ATACMS systems, but their use is tightly controlled. Kyiv wants to break free from these limits and gain the ability to hit where the “red flag” is currently raised: Russian military infrastructure hundreds of kilometers behind the front, command hubs, and airfields supporting Moscow’s war machine.
According to WSJ, Trump did not give Zelensky a final yes but, for the first time, expressed willingness to discuss lifting the ban. That marks a notable shift compared with U.S. policy in the spring of 2025, when the Pentagon introduced a case-by-case approval process for any potential strikes. The Pentagon still fears uncontrolled escalation, but the mere fact that the White House is open to the conversation is already changing the atmosphere. Zelensky argued that without the ability to threaten Russia’s internal military network, peace talks will remain meaningless — Moscow will not make real concessions while feeling secure behind the front line.
Sources cited by Axios note that the Ukrainian leader mentioned not only ATACMS but also Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of hitting targets more than a thousand kilometers away. Some analysts stress that Kyiv seeks not just to deploy new systems but to use their very presence as leverage: having such weapons can alter the Kremlin’s calculations even if they are never launched. Another crucial point: Ukraine is simultaneously developing its own long-range capabilities — drones and “Flamingo” missiles — but these are not yet sufficient to change the balance on their own.
If the restrictions are lifted, the war’s strategy could change dramatically. Ukraine would gain the ability to strike logistics hubs and command centers far beyond the front lines, potentially undermining Russia’s capacity for prolonged offensives. Yet the move carries risks: Moscow has repeatedly warned it would consider deep strikes on its territory as edging closer to direct confrontation with NATO. Inside the U.S., the political landscape could also fracture — some lawmakers and military figures may back the White House’s resolve, while others fear the nation could be drawn deeper into the conflict.
Trump’s public openness to expanding Kyiv’s freedom in selecting targets is already reshaping the negotiating field. Ukraine gains a stronger argument for a tougher stance in future peace talks, while America’s allies see a signal that Washington is seriously weighing stronger support. This moment underscores that the war is no longer static: diplomatic and military front lines shift as fast as the battlefield itself. A decision on long-range strikes could become either a springboard to peace through pressure or a new escalation spiral if Moscow chooses to respond in kind.
Dia duit, theastaigh uaim do phraghas a fháil.