Russia cautions the U.S. about escalating tensions with missile deployment.

• In a major reversal of Washington policy, the U.S. decision, as reported by NBC News, marks a significant shift in U.S. engagement in the Ukraine conflict, just two months before the mandate's expiration under President Joe Biden, who has been leading U.S. involvement in the conflict since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
• Earlier on Monday, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Spokesperson, stated through Reuters that it is clear that the outgoing administration in Washington plans to take actions that will further inflame the conflict and increase tensions.
• The Institute for the Study of War's analysts caution that Washington's limited authorization may not be enough to significantly change the battlefield outcome.

The White House has announced that Ukraine will be allowed to use U.S.-made long-range weapons for limited strikes inside Russian territory, prompting a response from the Kremlin.

Washington's decision, as reported by NBC News, represents a significant shift in policy just two months before the expiration of President Biden's mandate, who has led U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Biden administration had restricted the use of American-made long-range weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield, but allowed Kyiv to utilize U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMAR) in cross-border attacks to safeguard Ukraine.

Moscow's deployment of North Korean troops to support its efforts in the conflict in Ukraine has been met with criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who described it as "one of the largest Russian strikes" against his country over the weekend.

Earlier on Monday, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Spokesperson, stated through Reuters that it is clear that the outgoing administration in Washington plans to take actions that will further inflame the conflict and increase tensions.

If the Kyiv regime received a decision to increase tension in the conflict, this would represent a new stage of US involvement, according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti.

Ukraine relies on Western allies for both military and humanitarian aid, including weapons, with NATO members providing them for defensive purposes on Ukrainian soil, fearing further escalations and Russian retaliation. Putin, the Kremlin leader, had warned on Sept. 12 that any NATO country's decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russian targets would be considered direct participation in the war.

The problem is not whether the Ukrainian government should be allowed to use these weapons against Russia or not. The issue is whether NATO countries should directly participate in the military conflict in Ukraine by deciding to engage in it. If this decision is made, it will inevitably lead to the direct involvement of NATO countries, including the United States and European countries, in the war in Ukraine.

The Institute for the Study of War's analysts warn that Washington's limited authorization may not be enough to significantly change the battlefield course.

The lifting of some restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range weapons against military targets in Kursk Oblast will not completely eliminate Russian forces' ability to use their territory as a sanctuary, as hundreds of military targets remain within ATACMS range in other Russian border regions, according to a note.

If Western states continue to impose restrictions on Ukraine's ability to defend itself, Russian forces will benefit from any partial sanctuary. The US should allow Ukraine to strike all legitimate military targets within Russia's operational and deep-rear within range of US-provided weapons, not just those in Kursk Oblast.

"To truly put an end to this terror, it is necessary to remove Russia's ability to launch attacks. This is a realistic solution, according to Zelenskyy, who made the statement on social media on Monday. He emphasized that this is not just about defense, but also justice. Any nation under attack would act in the same way to protect its citizens. Therefore, Zelenskyy urged that Russia be left with no capacity for terror, and that this be done in partnership with other nations."

Whether European countries will follow Washington's lead on Kyiv's use of their weapons remains uncertain. CNBC has contacted the foreign ministries of major Western NATO allies Germany, France, and the U.K. for comment.

On Monday, EU foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the Ukraine conflict, among other topics.

Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, stated prior to the meeting that Ukraine should be able to use the arms provided to them in order to stop the arrow and hit the archers. He believes this is necessary and is sure it will be discussed again. He hopes members will agree on this.

The possibility of Ukraine's long-range missile capabilities to carry out direct attacks raises questions, as NATO prepares for the potential return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously promised to end the war in Ukraine within a day of taking office without providing specifics.

According to Tytti Tuppurainen, a member of the Finnish parliament, the U.S. authorization could signal a significant change in the course of the war.

"If it is true that Europe has to stand up now and this is a critical moment, she added, "This is certainly a wake-up call for Europe. From the U.S. side, the election of Donald Trump tells us that we have to take the responsibility of our own destiny, and if Russia wins in Ukraine, it means that Russia will only continue.""