The White House is reportedly working on a plan to ease certain restrictions on how Ukraine can utilize U.S.-donated weapons and strengthen its defense against Russian missile attacks. According to anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, a small group of officials within the White House have been engaged in closely held talks to formulate the details of the plan.

Recent discussions between officials in Washington, London, and Kyiv have revolved around expanding the area inside Russia where Ukraine can employ American and British-made weapons. The aim is to allow Ukraine to strike back at Russia if it initiates or threatens an attack from its territory. One proposal under consideration is granting permission for Ukraine to use U.K. long-range missiles, which include American parts, to target within Russia.

These developments mark a significant change in approach compared to earlier conversations held between the U.S. and Ukraine. It indicates that the Biden administration may be more inclined to fulfill Ukraine's requests for greater military autonomy and the ability to take more assertive actions within Russia.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hinted at this shift during an interview in June, stating that allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons in Russia is a matter of common sense if Russia is the aggressor. President Biden, when asked about lifting the restrictions on long-range weapons, commented that the matter is currently being resolved.

The urgency of these discussions has escalated following confirmation that Iran has successfully delivered ballistic missiles to Russia. In the past, the U.S. has resisted the calls from Kyiv and European allies to remove all limitations on using American weapons inside Russia. While certain restrictions were lifted in May, preventing Ukraine from using long-range missiles remained in place. Reasons cited by U.S. officials for maintaining these restrictions have ranged from avoiding escalating tensions with Russia to the claim that Russia has relocated many high-value targets beyond Ukraine's range.

Another aspect to consider is the limited inventory of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which the U.S. Army no longer purchases. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, is still supplying a limited number of missiles to allies overseas, and the replacement Precision Strike Missile is not yet widely available. The concerns about depleting the stockpile have contributed to the decision to keep certain restrictions intact.

To address these issues, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with British Defense Secretary David Lammy, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the weapons issue, Ukraine's incursion into Russia, and recent Russian advances in Ukraine.

British defense leaders have been engaged in discussions with their American counterparts to secure U.S. approval for Ukraine's use of British Storm Shadow missiles to strike within Russia. Although no decision has been reached, this topic will be part of the conversation between President Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their upcoming meeting at the White House.

In response to these discussions, a Pentagon spokesperson referred to comments made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, highlighting Ukraine's significant military capabilities in addressing targets beyond the range of ATACMS or Storm Shadow missiles.

While it remains uncertain whether the Biden administration has decided to lift restrictions on long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, the recent visit of Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Washington seems to have added momentum. During this visit, Umerov reportedly presented U.S. officials with a list of high-value targets Ukraine could strike within Russia if restrictions were eased.

The Biden administration's earlier decision to permit limited strikes inside Russia came with specific geographical limitations, which were subsequently expanded to allow Ukraine to defend against Russian glide bombs.

Recent Russian advancements near the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk and widespread artillery attacks on Ukraine's power sector have intensified pressure on the Biden administration to take action. Lawmakers from both parties have called on the administration to make a decision, and influential figures, such as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, have expressed support for the move.

Cardin acknowledged the challenges faced by the administration in coordinating with European allies, some of whom remain reluctant to authorize the use of donated weapons inside Russia. He praised President Zelenskyy's efforts in garnering support and outlined expectations for meaningful conversations on a peace plan at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

The potential loosening of the Biden administration's policy on Ukraine reflects a changing dynamic in the coalition of donor nations. While individual countries can unilaterally approve Ukraine's use of their weapons inside Russia, there is a growing acceptance among coalition members to enable countries that wish to take such action.

As these discussions progress, the international community awaits a decision from the White House regarding the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine. The outcome is anticipated to have significant implications for Ukraine's defense capabilities and its ongoing conflict with Russia.