Pentagon’s Strategic Restraint: U.S. Blocks Ukrainian Long-Range Attacks on Russia, Maintaining Cold War-Style Balance
According to reports by the American publication Wall Street Journal, U.S.
military and political leadership have been actively restraining Ukraine from using long-range missile systems to strike deep into Russian territory for several months.
Sources indicate that a covert approval procedure was established at a high governmental level, effectively barring Ukraine from deploying tactical missile systems such as the American ATACMS and the British-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles aimed at Russian targets.
This policy is believed to have been developed during the tenure of Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby, known for his staunch stance on prioritizing rivalry with China over ongoing military support to Ukraine.
At least one attempt by Ukraine to launch ATACMS against Russian targets was reportedly rejected, highlighting the limitations imposed on Kyiv’s strategic capabilities.
Experts suggest that these restrictions serve to preserve a balance reminiscent of Cold War-era deterrence, preventing escalation while maintaining ongoing conflict dynamics.
Additionally, the policy aligns with the timeline of a temporary halt in military aid to Ukraine at the beginning of July.
President Trump’s recent statements claiming that the war cannot be won through defensive measures alone have not resulted in tangible policy shifts, according to sources.
Ukrainian and British representatives declined to comment on the matter, underscoring the sensitive nature of the ongoing military and diplomatic standoff.