The United States has consistently provided Ukraine with financial military support since it was invaded by Russia over two years ago.

However, President Joe Biden has given an order that critics say could result in a dangerous escalation of the conflict. 

American weapons can be used for strikes inside of Russia

According to Fox News, Biden is for the first time allowing Ukraine to use American-made weapons for attacks inside Russia.

An administration official told the network that the "limited" change in policy only applies to strikes made in defense of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city.

Kharkiv is located in the northeastern corner of Ukraine and sits just over 70 miles from the border with Russia. Fox News noted that Russian forces have recently managed to make advances in the area.

"The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkiv region, so Ukraine can hit back against Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them," the official was quoted as saying.

"Our policy with respect to prohibiting the use of ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) or long-range strikes inside of Russia has not changed," the figure went on to insist.

Kremlin spokesman accuses NATO of "escalating tension"

However, the BBC reported on Friday that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the United States and other NATO members of having "entered a new round of escalating tension."

"They are in every possible way provoking Ukraine to continue this senseless war," Peskov insisted. He went on to allege that Ukraine's backers "are doing this deliberately."

However, Reuters noted that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg dismissed such claims while attending a foreign ministers' meeting in Prague on Friday.

"This is nothing new. It has (...) been the case for a long time that every time NATO allies are providing support to Ukraine, President Putin is trying to threaten us to not do that," Stoltenberg told reporters.

NATO chief: "Ukraine has the right for self-defense"

"Of course it makes it very hard for Ukraine to defend themselves if they are not allowed to use advanced weapons to repel those attacks," he said.

"Ukraine has the right for self-defense, we have the right to help Ukraine uphold the right for self-defense, and that does not make NATO allies a party to the conflict," Stoltenberg added.

"That was the case back in February 2022, that was the case last year, that remains the case," the NATO chief went on to assert.