Washington, Aug 24(HS): The Pentagon has quietly restricted Ukraine’s ability to deploy U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russia, limiting Kyiv’s strike capabilities amid its ongoing conflict with Moscow, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing U.S. officials. The move places final authorization over these missile strikes in the hands of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

This development unfolds as U.S. President Donald Trump expresses mounting frustration over the prolonged war and challenges in brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Despite efforts, including summits involving Putin, Zelenskiy, and European leaders, no substantive progress or bilateral meetings have been finalized, with Russian officials citing a lack of agreed agenda.

The decision reflects the complex balancing act the U.S. faces between supporting Ukraine’s defense and managing broader diplomatic peace initiatives. Official responses from Ukrainian and U.S. authorities remain pending.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar