Wicker responds to Biden lifting missile restrictions in the Ukraine

Nov. 18, 2024 – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, responded to press reports indicating that President Biden will finally lift some restrictions on Ukraine using U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

“If initial press reports are true, I am encouraged at the prospect of allowing Ukraine to use long-range ATACM missiles supplied by the U.S. This does not excuse the administration’s deliberate slow-walking of items and assistance long authorized by Congress for use against Putin’s illegal aggression. This devastating conflict could have been ended on terms benefiting the U.S. and NATO if Mr. Biden had listened to the counsel of bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate,” Senator Wicker said.

The policy change follows a letter from Sen. Wicker to President Biden demanding that he implement a list of 10 major policy changes to give Ukraine the best battlefield prospects possible before his administration comes to an end in January. One of those demands was to lift restrictions on ATACMS.

“Allow greater flexibility on restrictions for U.S.-provided munitions. One of Ukraine’s key asymmetric advantages against Russia is its ability to target high-value Russian military targets and to do so rapidly. Your administration has hamstrung this crucial advantage. You should immediately revise any policies that limit the use of U.S.-provided munitions, including ATACMS, to strike military targets inside Russia. Any restrictions should be placed on the types of targets, rather than on the distance from a border that Russia does not even recognize,” Senator Wicker wrote.

Senator Wicker has been calling on the Biden administration to allow the full use of ATACMS for nearly two years. Earlier this year, Senator Wicker joined Ukraine Caucus co-chairs in calling on President Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons.