The US State Department confirmed information that the country's President Joseph Biden has authorized Ukraine to carry out strikes deep into Russia.
The corresponding statement was made by US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols in an interview with the Brazilian publication O Globo.
What the US State Department Said About Permission to Launch Strikes Deep into Russia
A US State Department official said the move would give Ukraine more room to defend itself and push Moscow toward negotiations.
According to Nichols, it is up to Russia alone how long the conflict in Ukraine will last.
Earlier, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the department could not confirm or deny information about permission to carry out strikes deep into Russia.
On November 17, the American publication The New York Times reported that Biden had authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles to strike Russia.
The French publication Le Figaro wrote in an article about Biden's decision that France and the UK had given similar permission to use their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles, but later removed this information from the article.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said yesterday that the country has not changed its position on strikes deep into Russia.
For reference
The United States Department of State is a federal executive agency, a department within the Federal Government of the United States, responsible for the conduct and implementation of the foreign policy of the United States and some aspects of domestic policy.
