“I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We're just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done.”

The Biden administration approved the use of U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) by Ukraine on November 17, allowing them to strike military targets within Russia. This decision, made after more than a year of hesitation, came amid Russia’s escalation of the war, particularly through the deployment of North Korean troops to the frontlines. The Biden administration justified the move by citing Russia’s actions as an increasing threat, with the missiles having the capability to target locations up to 300 kilometers away.

The decision has sparked significant debate, with some questioning the wisdom of further escalating the conflict. John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council spokesman, reaffirmed that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine in its fight but refrained from addressing specific criticisms, including those from political opponents. Meanwhile, speculation has arisen about the potential approach of future leadership, particularly regarding the use of  ATACMS and the broader strategy for ending the war. Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to bring the conflict to a swift resolution, has suggested he could end the war within 24 hours of returning to office, though concerns about the terms of such an agreement, particularly regarding territorial concessions to Russia, remain unclear. As the U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest weapons supplier, it holds significant leverage in shaping the course of the war and any eventual peace negotiations.