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With only a few weeks left in the White House, President Joe Biden and his administration have made a significant move that could intensify the Russia-Ukraine war. In a major policy shift, the Biden administration has authorized Ukraine to use American-made long-range missiles to target Russian territory, a decision highlighted by The New York Times.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly used ATACMS missiles provided by the U.S. to strike inside Russia. This action came on the same day Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine, suggesting a lowered threshold for deploying nuclear weapons in the case of aggression supported by a nuclear power, as reported by CNBC.

In addition to these missile strikes, President Biden approved the shipment of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, a move he had previously criticized as "reckless." The Pentagon followed up by announcing a $275 million package of supplies and weapons destined for Ukraine.

Furthermore, the administration is reportedly pushing to "forgive" $4.65 billion in U.S. taxpayer loans extended to Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that every available dollar would be sent to Ukraine before January 20th.

This escalated support for Ukraine contrasts sharply with the foreign policy of President-elect Donald Trump, who has advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Zelensky had even hinted at the possibility of ending the war through diplomatic means next year, a prospect that now seems uncertain due to the Biden administration's recent actions.

The decision to ramp up support for Ukraine comes despite Trump's ongoing efforts to negotiate peace between Kyiv and Moscow—an approach supported by the more than 76 million Americans who voted for his reelection.

Critics argue that the Biden administration's latest moves are not only dangerous but could also potentially bring the world closer to a larger conflict. As the transition of power approaches, the hope is that tensions will de-escalate, avoiding a scenario that further involves the U.S. and NATO countries in the conflict.