Trump ‘Seriously Considering’ Lifting All Biden-Era Restrictions on Ukraine’s War Effort, Sources Say

 

U.S. and German Officials to Discuss Expanded Ukraine Aid and Tougher Russia Sanctions

U.S. and German officials are set to meet in Washington this week to discuss the next phase of support for Ukraine and potential new sanctions on Russia. A central topic of discussion will be the possible removal of range restrictions on Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory.

Although the Biden-era limitations on Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities remain partially in place, two senior Western officials told the Kyiv Post on Monday, May 25, that President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” lifting them.

“All previously imposed restrictions—whether already eased or not—are currently under review,” one of the officials said. “President [Trump] believes the current status quo does not advance our shared goal of pressuring Russia to come to the negotiating table,” the official added, without providing specifics.

Earlier on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that weapons supplied to Ukraine by Western allies would no longer be subject to range restrictions, effectively allowing Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia. The Kremlin labeled the move “dangerous.”

Merz’s remarks followed a third consecutive night of intense Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

On Sunday, Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, writing on social media that the Kremlin leader “has gone absolutely crazy... needlessly killing a lot of people.” In response, the Kremlin accused Trump of displaying “emotional overload.”

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Trump’s comments by expressing hope that Trump’s anger toward Putin “will translate into action.”

A senior Western official told the Kyiv Post on Monday night that Trump’s final decision on escalating support for Ukraine and punishing Russia would be a major agenda item during this week’s discussions with German counterparts in Washington.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to travel to the U.S. capital in the coming days. On Monday, he told Germany’s Tagesschau news program, “Putin doesn’t want peace—he wants to continue the war, and we cannot allow that to happen.”

Wadephul also said a new round of sanctions is being prepared in coordination with European allies. “There will be a response from the West, and I believe also from the United States,” he stated.

While it's unclear whether Wadephul will expand on Merz’s announcement regarding Ukraine’s long-range capabilities during meetings with U.S. officials, military analysts are already weighing the potential consequences.

Jorge Rivero, a Washington-based expert on Russia-Ukraine military dynamics, told the Kyiv Post that easing Western restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons would mark a significant shift in the strategic landscape of the war.

“If restrictions are relaxed, Kyiv could begin targeting military installations within Russian territory, including airbases used to launch Geran-2 drones and long-range bombers that have pounded Ukrainian infrastructure,” Rivero said.

He added that the policy shift could authorize Ukrainian forces to strike Russian command centers and logistical supply lines deep within Russia using precision-guided munitions.

Previously, Western-imposed limitations had shielded critical Russian military infrastructure from Ukrainian strikes. “Removing those constraints could fundamentally change the tactical balance, enabling Ukraine to disrupt the systems sustaining Russia’s war effort,” Rivero explained.

“This would complicate Russian operational planning and put supply chains—vital to Moscow’s military campaign since 2022—at significant risk,” he concluded.