Both AP and the news website Politico report that the US has given Ukraine permission to use Western weapons against Russian forces threatening the city of Kharkiv.
This decision is controversial within NATO and was discussed at an informal foreign ministers’ meeting in Prague this week.
The US policy still prohibits attacks deep inside Russian territory, but allows for limited use of American weapons to defend Kharkiv.
Ukraine requested this change in US policy after Russia began its offensive earlier this month.
Ukraine can now use American-made rockets and launchers to defend against Russian attacks near Kharkiv.
However, advanced US long-range missiles cannot be used against targets deep inside Russian territory.
This development was first reported by Politico, citing anonymous US sources.
The US has granted "some flexibility" to Ukraine to defend itself against attacks near Kharkiv, which is just 20 kilometers from the front line.
Ukraine can reportedly target Russian troop concentrations near the border with Kharkiv using American weapons.
Norsk Telegrambyrå (NTB) has also reported on this development.
