Biden to 'allow Ukraine to use American long-range missiles inside Russia for first time'

The New York Times and the Reuters news agency are reporting that US President Joe Biden had approved the removal of restrictions that prevented the use of US weapons in Russia.

The White House has not commented on the reports.

If confirmed, the move will be a major shift for the US following months of calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Reuters says the first strikes using the weapons are expected in coming days.

Kyiv forces will likely use the ATACMS rocket, an advanced missile system with a range of up to 300 kilometres.

The move comes as Russia launched a new wave of strikes on Ukraine on Sunday morning, hitting civilian targets and critical infrastructure and killing at least eight people.

It came hours after Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Ukrainian allies across Europe that talks with Putin for peace would open "Pandora's box".

"Whoever tries to make peace between the devil and mankind, will open Pandora's box," he said in a video late on Saturday.

The reports also came as Zelenskyy said on Sunday morning that Ukrainian defenses had shot down 140 incoming targets following an onslaught of at least 120 cruise missiles and 90 drones.

Taking to X, Zelenskyy said the drones targeted cities in the west of the country.

Meanwhile, Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the world to stand with Ukraine.

"Help Ukraine today - save yourself and everyone else tomorrow. Support Ukraine today - defend the world tomorrow," he said in a video late on Saturday.

He said Ukraine is the front line of defence against the "totalitarian aggressor" Russia.

Ukrainians were in the midst of a power outage in many parts of the country late on Saturday, after Russia conducted a new wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine.

The attacks came after Zelenskyy said he hoped to make progress on a "peace formula" in talks later on Saturday with US President Joe Biden.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far rejected calls to engage in peace talks.

Zelenskyy also said Russian forces were likely to launch an invasion of Ukraine's western regions by land and air in the coming days.