The Pentagon move that shows Biden is open to sending Americans into Ukraine to help Zelensky's troops
- US contractors have not been allowed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion
- But that could change as soon as this year, allowing them to repair weapons
- READ MORE: Russia wheels out terrifying Yars missiles with 7500-mile range
The Biden administration is considering lifting a long-held ban on U.S. military contractors deploying to Ukraine, according to four officials.
It would mark a huge shift in Pentagon policy as it looks to help Ukrainian forces gain the upper hand after two years fighting Russia.
President Joe Biden has repeatedly resisted any move that could risk escalating the war but officials are reportedly examining the idea that contractors could be allowed into the war-torn country to help maintain and repair U.S. weapons systems.
'We have not made any decisions and any discussion of this is premature,' one administration official told CNN.
'The president is absolutely firm that he will not be sending US troops to Ukraine.'
Ukrainian servicemen prepare to fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. At present badly damaged weapons systems have to be transported out of Ukraine if they need repair by US contractors
The policy is still being drafted and has yet to reach Biden.
If approved, the change could come into force this year, officials added, allowing American companies to win Department of Defense contracts for work inside Ukraine for the first time since Russia invaded.
In the meantime, U.S.-supplied gear has to be brought out of the country for repairs if it has sustained heavy damage.
Some U.S. personnel are available to help with advice and logistics but only via video-link.
But with Russia making gains this year, administration officials have begun rethinking the restrictions.
Things will only become more urgent when Ukraine takes delivery of F-16 jets later this year, a highly complex system that will never regular maintenance by highly skilled staff.
It would mean anything from a few dozen to a few hundred contractors being deployed inside the country.
'This would be a much more focused and thoughtful effort to support Ukraine in country,' retired Army officer Alex Vindman, who was director for European Affairs on the National Security Council under Donald Trump, told CNN.
Biden has frequently resisted greater U.S. involvement only to change his mind later.
President Biden has frequently resisted greater U.S. involvement only to change his mind later
F-16s are due next month, increasing the need for American contractors on the ground
For example, after denying Ukrainian requests to use American weapons to strike inside Russia, the administration changed tack last month. It gave the go-ahead to strike across the border near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Then last week, the greenlight was extended to anywhere along the border.
The delays have frustrated Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky.
On of his officials said the F-16s were no longer relevant.
'Often, we just don't get the weapons systems at the time we need them – they come when they're no longer relevant,' the high-ranking officer told Politico.
'Every weapon has its own right time. F-16s were needed in 2023; they won't be right for 2024.'
