The Pentagon has imposed undisclosed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets inside Russia, significantly limiting Kyiv’s ability to counter Moscow’s ongoing invasion, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. The policy, which has been in place for months, stems from a Pentagon approval process overseen by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who holds final authority over the deployment of these advanced weapons, capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers away.

The restrictions come amid heightened frustration from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly expressed exasperation over the three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict and his inability to broker a peace agreement. Following an unproductive summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a subsequent meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump indicated on August 22, 2025, that he is weighing options, including imposing economic sanctions or tariffs on Russia or potentially withdrawing from the peace process entirely. “I’m going to make a very important decision, whether it’s massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say it’s your fight,” Trump stated.

Efforts to arrange a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy have faltered, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stating on August 22, 2025, to NBC that no agenda exists for such a summit. “Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskiy when the agenda would be ready for a summit. And this agenda is not ready at all,” Lavrov said. The Pentagon’s restrictions, reportedly part of a broader White House strategy to encourage Putin’s participation in peace talks, have prevented Ukraine from conducting deep strikes into Russian territory, potentially hampering its defensive strategy.

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Neither Ukraine’s presidential office nor its defense ministry responded to Reuters’ requests for comment outside business hours, and the White House and Pentagon also did not provide immediate statements. The policy has sparked debate, with Trump criticizing previous restrictions under the Biden administration, arguing on Truth Social that limiting Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian soil makes victory “very hard, if not impossible.” As the conflict persists, the Pentagon’s cautious approach underscores the delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding escalation with Russia.

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