In a strategic move following the collapse of a planned meeting with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump has authorized Ukraine to deploy specific long-range missiles provided by Western allies. The lifting of a crucial restriction now permits Kyiv to target deep inside Russia, intensifying pressure on the Kremlin, as confirmed by US officials on Wednesday.

Recently, Ukraine utilized British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region, as announced by Ukraine’s General Staff of Armed Forces on social media, labeling it a “successful hit.” The Ukrainian forces noted that the targeted Russian facility was involved in producing gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components utilized by the enemy to attack Ukrainian territory.

The decision to allow such missile strikes was altered by the US, transferring approval authority from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to General Alexus Grynkewich, the top American military official in Europe and also NATO commander, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Interestingly, the attack using UK-manufactured missiles occurred on the same day when PM Keir Starmer and other European leaders pledged to escalate economic and defense industry pressure on Russia until Putin is willing to engage in peace negotiations.

The unsuccessful meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest prompted Trump to avoid what he termed as a “wasted meeting” with the Russian president. Trump, who has been advocating for talks to end the war with Putin since early October, had previously warned of the potential use of Tomahawk missiles if the conflict persisted during his travel to Israel aboard Air Force One.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Trump for increased military assistance, particularly US-made Tomahawk missiles with a range of 1,550 miles. However, Trump has refrained from supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine to avoid escalating tensions with Moscow, as Russia had cautioned that US involvement in launching Tomahawks for Ukraine could be considered direct engagement in the conflict.

The Storm Shadow cruise missile, jointly developed by Britain and France, can be launched from Ukrainian aircraft and travel distances exceeding 180 miles. The US retains the ability to regulate Ukraine’s use of the missile due to its reliance on American targeting data.