The Pentagon has been blocking Ukraine from using US-made long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia for several months, according to US officials cited by the Wall Street Journal. This restriction is enforced through a Defense Department approval process, which has been in place since late spring and requires final authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move limits Ukraine's military options against Russia, coinciding with President Donald Trump's efforts to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump remains committed to ending the war in Ukraine and confirmed that there has been no change in the current military posture. Secretary Hegseth is reportedly coordinating closely with President Trump on this issue.