President Biden’s decision to send anti-personnel mines to Ukraine marks another significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. The move, coupled with Ukraine’s recent use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, has drawn sharp criticism from Trump allies and raised the stakes in an already volatile war.
The Biden administration’s approval of anti-personnel mines breaks with a longstanding reluctance to supply such weapons, largely due to their enduring dangers even after conflicts end. While Ukrainian officials have pledged to deploy the mines only on Ukrainian territory and away from civilian areas, the risks remain substantial.
To mitigate these dangers, the mines being delivered to Ukraine reportedly feature an electric fuse powered by a battery, designed to deactivate after a short period. According to CBS News, the mines become inoperative once the battery dies, typically within hours or weeks.
The announcement coincided with Ukraine’s use of American-made ATACMS missiles against Russian targets, a shift from previous U.S. restrictions. Critics argue this escalation is unnecessary and dangerous. Donald Trump Jr., a vocal ally of the president-elect, accused the Biden administration of prioritizing profits for the military-industrial complex over diplomatic solutions. “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives,” he wrote on social media.
Biden’s actions come as Russia ramps up its own efforts, including the reported deployment of 10,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster its forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated his country’s nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, a move the Kremlin had been signaling for weeks.
The White House National Security Council (NSC) sought to downplay Russia’s rhetoric, stating that there has been no observed change in Russia’s nuclear posture and thus no need to adjust U.S. strategies. The NSC labeled Putin’s updates as “irresponsible rhetoric” while condemning Russia’s use of North Korean troops as a “significant escalation.”
At the same time, NATO allies, including Great Britain and France, have authorized Ukraine to deploy SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles, further expanding the range of Ukraine’s military capabilities. French outlet Le Figaro confirmed that these authorizations align with the West’s broader strategy to counter Russia’s offensive in Eastern Europe.
The Biden administration’s actions intensify the conflict at a critical juncture. President-elect Trump has repeatedly called for de-escalation and has signaled his intent to broker a peace deal upon taking office. However, the late-stage decisions by the outgoing administration complicate Trump’s approach. Allies have expressed concerns that Biden’s escalation leaves the incoming administration with fewer options for diplomacy.
Trump’s team faces a complex landscape where NATO allies are fully committed to supporting Ukraine, while Russia edges closer to direct confrontations with the West. Putin’s claim that Western missile strikes signify NATO’s participation in the war adds further tension, raising the specter of broader conflict.
As Biden doubles down on military support for Ukraine and Russia escalates its rhetoric and military posture, the war appears to be entering a dangerous new phase. With Trump’s inauguration looming, the decisions made in these final weeks could significantly impact the next administration’s ability to navigate the conflict and pursue peace.
