Currently, the U.S. still enforces several restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-provided weapons. These limitations primarily aim to prevent Ukraine from directly targeting Russian territory to avoid escalating the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. While Ukraine has received advanced systems like HIMARS and Patriot missiles, it is often restricted from using them in offensive operations deep within Russian territory.

Some restrictions have relaxed over time, though, allowing Ukraine to strike more critical targets in areas like Crimea or occupied regions with Western-supplied weaponry, as long as those targets are considered within its internationally recognized borders. However, if North Korea were to join the conflict on Russia’s side, it could lead the Pentagon to reconsider and potentially lift these restrictions fully, allowing Ukraine greater flexibility in its use of American arms.