The Defense Department has withheld approval for attacks as the White House has sought to entice Moscow to open peace talks.

The Pentagon is blocking Ukraine from using US-made ATACMS long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia, limiting Kyiv’s options in its defence. US officials cited concerns about escalating the conflict if the weapons are used against Russian territory.

The U.S. has quietly implemented a review process giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to approve Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia with American missiles, effectively blocking strikes for months,