President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he may reverse President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukrainian forces to use American long-range weapons for strikes deeper into Russian territory.
Trump criticised the move, calling it “stupid,” and expressed frustration that his incoming administration was not consulted beforehand.
Biden’s decision, made last month, lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the Army Tactical Missile System, enabling strikes on Russian positions hundreds of miles from Ukraine’s borders.
“I don’t think that should have been allowed, not when there’s a possibility — certainly not just weeks before I take over,” Trump said during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
“Why would they do that without asking me what I thought? I wouldn’t have had him do that. I think it was a big mistake.”
Trump’s remarks highlight his disapproval of Biden’s attempts to push additional aid to Ukraine in the final weeks of his presidency, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion. The Biden administration has sought to ensure existing aid and weaponry are delivered before Trump takes office on January 20, with future support uncertain under the new administration.
Despite Biden’s efforts, Trump’s influence will ultimately determine how Ukraine can utilise US-provided military resources going forward.
Asked if he would consider reversing Biden’s decision, Trump replied,
“I might. I think it was a very stupid thing to do.”
In response to Trump’s comments, the White House defended the decision, emphasising that it followed months of deliberations that began before the election. National security spokesperson John Kirby stated,
“We have articulated to them the logic behind it, the thinking behind it, why we were doing it.”
Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has long been a subject of scrutiny. During his 2016 campaign, Trump openly called on Russia to release Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails and later expressed doubt over US intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the election to support him. Trump has also praised Putin, calling him “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine.
Vice President-elect JD Vance has indicated a preference for a less confrontational approach toward Russia, arguing that treating Moscow as an enemy is counterproductive.
Trump reiterated his call for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin to negotiate an end to the war, describing the ongoing conflict as “carnage.” However, he acknowledged that resolving the Russia-Ukraine war may prove more challenging than other global conflicts, such as those in the Middle East.
Trump declined to confirm whether he has spoken with Putin since the election.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has been actively lobbying Trump to maintain US support for Ukraine, meeting with the president-elect earlier this month in Paris during Trump’s visit for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Ukrainian officials continue to press for sustained aid as the nearly three-year war grinds on, with both sides seeking a strategic advantage to strengthen their positions in potential peace negotiations.
Complicating matters further, US intelligence recently revealed that Russia could soon deploy its intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again. This weapon, first used last month shortly after Biden eased restrictions on Ukraine, has raised concerns across NATO. Putin has warned that Russia’s next target could include NATO allies who have facilitated Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes.
Biden’s decision to loosen restrictions came after months of pressure from Zelenskyy and Western allies, who argued that the previous US ban hindered Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks on cities and infrastructure.
The outgoing president ultimately acted amid concerns over Russia’s mobilisation of thousands of North Korean troops to retake land in the Kursk border region that Ukraine captured earlier this year.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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