Ukraine gets US nod to strike Russia

Donald Trump Jr says Biden trying to get 'World War Three' going

KYIV:

US President Joe Biden has cleared Kyiv to use long-range American missiles against military targets inside Russia, a US official told AFP.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was confirming reports from The New York Times and The Washington Post that the major policy shift -- long demanded by Ukraine -- was in response to North Korea deploying troops to help Moscow's war effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long pushed for authorisation from Washington to use the powerful Army Tactical Missile System, known by its initials ATACMS, to hit targets inside Russia.

But the US president's apparent green light has caused consternation among Donald Trump's allies.

Trump himself has not commented, but he won the election after promising to end the war - and people close to him have condemned the move as dangerous escalation.

Donald Trump Jr tweeted that the president was trying to "get World War Three going" before his father took office.

One thing is certain, though: Trump has always seen himself as a dealmaker and will not want Biden to take any such credit.

His son, Donald Trump Jr, was among the first Republicans to respond. "The military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War Three going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," he said.

Another vocal Trump supporter, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned Biden, too. "The American people gave a mandate on Nov 5th against these exact America last decisions and do NOT want to fund or fight foreign wars. We want to fix our own problems," she wrote on X.

Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote on X that "Libs love war" and "War facilitates bigger government", a position endorsed by tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk, who is joining Trump's entourage.

China, which has presented itself as a neutral party to the Ukraine war, urged a peaceful settlement. "An early ceasefire and a political solution serve the interests of all parties," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular briefing, when asked about the US decision. "The most urgent thing is to promote the cooling down of the situation as soon as possible," he said.

News of Biden's decision came hours after Ukraine announced nationwide emergency power restrictions from Monday after Russia laucnhed a massive attack that killed 11 civilians and further damaged the country's already fragile energy grid as winter approaches.

Another 10 people were killed, including two children, in another strike Sunday evening in the northeast town of Sumy.

Russia's latest barrage brought swift international condemnation. AFP