The Pentagon has restricted Ukraine from using long-range missiles given to it by the United States to strike Russia since the spring, as part of efforts by Donald Trump's team to get Vladimir Putin to join peace talks, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed.

According to anonymous sources, the missiles are ATACMS hypersonic missiles. Ukraine allegedly requested to use them to strike targets in Russia, but was denied due to a “review mechanism.” It regulates the use of long-range American weapons or those provided by European allies that rely on American intelligence and other components. The mechanism also applied to British Storm Shadow missiles.

Ukraine was given the green light for ATACMS in November last year by the Joe Biden administration. However, after Trump returned to the White House, he told Time magazine that the decision was a mistake.

It is unclear whether the Pentagon's actions represent a change in Washington's policy, the WSJ notes, but they coincide with increased control over ammunition supplies to Ukraine, as US stocks themselves are running low.