Current President Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to use U.S.  long-range missiles to attack deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long asked to use these weapons for the war, however, there has been pushback regarding this action. New York Post states that using US missiles against Russia could be assumed to be an act of aggravation. Biden’s team has been hesitant to use Army Tactical Missile Systems in retaliation. However, this new policy shift could cause ripples that lead their way into the next U.S. presidency.  

This is happening just weeks before president-elect Donald Trump comes into office, withUkraine planning to take action within the next few days. Trump has pledged he will end the war in January as a major part of his 2024 election campaign, but there has been speculation around whether he has a clear plan or not. He has also made other promises regarding ending the war in 24 hours, according to Rolling Stone. In contrast, this action of provocation by deciding to send U.S. missiles into deep Russia might make it more difficult for the fast clean-up that Trump was planning for this war. Stated in New York Post, Trump held phone calls with both country’s leaders post-election, however, he remains secretive about any specifics regarding the war. His relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has always been known as positive, resulting in other theories that he will take the side of Russia once he steps into office. Republicans have also already shown signs of cutting off support for Ukraine and no longer offering them military aid, which would be a severe policy change for the country. If this were to happen, it is apparent that it would cause severe setbacks in Ukraine’s  war efforts. Earlier this year, according toRolling Stone, there was a block of $61 billion in aid to Ukraine by the Republicans in Congress, allowing Russia to accelerate in success as Ukraine lacked ammunition or proper defense. However, Zelensky met up with Trump in October, and there he made a statement about Ukraine needing to form their own nuclear arsenal without the protection of US powers, despite their lack of proper resources.

Russia is continuously pushing back on Ukraine’s forces, causing doubt in the country’s ability to sustain their resources. Ukraine had taken the offensive at the border of Kursk, however, North Korean forces have come in Russian aid to assemble and push away the Ukrainians. Ukraine’s arsenal is rapidly depleting, along with there being concern around the limitations of U.S. weapons, acknowledged by New York Post. European leaders are beginning to fear the power gain Russia could receive through this conflict. Since the war’s beginning in 2022, Russia has gained 20% of Ukrainian territory, the equivalent of 45,000 square miles. Ukraine’s small success in capturing some small villages seems hauntingly miniscule in comparison, measured by Rolling Stone. Other American allies such as Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia criticize the abilities of Ukraine to muster up the amount of nuclear weapons they require in such a short time. Along with this, allies such as Poland see the strategy in long-term collection of nukes. 

With the upcoming change in presidency, there is much uncertainty with how the U.S. will continue its involvement in this war. Flipping the policy from Biden’s to Trump’s could have devastating effects on Ukraine, or it may provide help toward the end of this long-standing  conflict. Each ally and neighboring country at the moment is on its edge trying to predict the next move, however, only time will tell the results of each country’s actions.