Biden authorizes Ukraine missile attacks deeper into Russia

Trump-world balks, without good cause

Joe Biden has finally allowed Ukraine to use longish-range missiles supplied by America for limited strikes inside Russia. The decision is long overdue.

Putin objects. In his view, the U.S. has crossed a “red line.” In his view, Russia is now at war with NATO. In his view, Russia has the right to respond with nuclear weapons if attacked by a client — i.e. Ukraine — of a nuclear-armed adversary — i.e. the U.S.

For Putin, then, it’s fine for Russia, the aggressor in this war, to use weapons and manpower supplied by its allies — e.g. Iran and North Korea — to kill and terrorize civilians inside of Ukraine. But it’s out-of-bounds for Ukraine to use weapons supplied by its allies against military targets inside of Russia.

What a sad commentary on the Biden administration that it took so long to disabuse Putin of this arrogant view. Putin has no right to set the rules of engagement for the war he started. It would be disgraceful for the U.S. to allow him to.