WASHINGTON – 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 Senator 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.

Additional Background:

In April 2024, the Biden administration confirmed they would transfer the long-range missiles to Ukraine but with certain strings attached.

Senator Wicker also cited each occasion he urged the Biden administration to send Ukraine ATACMS in the past two years:

January 26, 2023: Upon taking the role of lead Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Wicker delivered remarks on the Senate floor that noted “we need to give Ukraine ATACMS long-range missiles.”

February 3, 2023: Senator Wicker responded to the latest tranche of Biden administration aid by calling for ATACMS to be included in the next package.

February 9, 2023: In the pages of National Review, Senator Wicker called for President Biden to deliver ATACMS to Ukraine.

May 19, 2023: After the Biden administration authorized F-16 training for Ukraine, Senator Wicker requested the Biden administration follow that up with sending ATACMS.

July 12, 2023: In the nomination hearing of General Randy George for U.S. Army chief of staff, Senator Wicker asked General George to consider the provision of “ATACMS and area denial munitions” to Ukraine.

In a joint statement with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Senator Wicker demanded that President Biden match Britain and France’s long-range munition distribution efforts with ATACMS.

July 27, 2023: Senator Wicker requested the provision of ATACMS for Ukraine alongside enhanced oversight authorities for the Department of Defense Inspector General for Ukraine.

September 21, 2023: Senator Wicker called on the Biden administration to stop “withhold[ing]” ATACMS for Ukraine. Senator Wicker further asked: “Does the Biden administration want Ukraine to win?”

November 2, 2023: Senator Wicker again joined Sen. Risch, Rep. McCaul, as well as House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., on a letter asking President Biden to distribute the “full inventory” of shorter-range ATACMS as well as longer range variants.

April 24, 2024: Senator Wicker expressed the importance of Ukraine to have U.S. weaponry capable of targeting assets in Russian-held territory after a first tranche of ATACMS were reportedly released to Ukraine.

May 29, 2024: Senator Wicker unveiled his major defense policy and investment plan, “21st Century Peace Through Strength,” which called on President Biden to “abandon the Biden administration’s “drip-drip-drip” approach to security assistance and recognize that Ukrainian strikes within Russia territory are not only effective but absolutely necessary.”

May 31, 2024: Senator Wicker called on the Biden administration to drop counterfire restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-made weapons against Russian targets involved in the war against Ukraine.

October 18, 2024: Senator Wicker issued a letter to President Biden with a list of 10 immediately implementable demands — including the lifting of ATACMS restrictions and recently-approved measures to improve U.S. contractor support for Ukrainian military equipment — which would put Ukraine in a stronger battlefield position before President Biden leaves office.