US President Joe Biden assured his Ukrainian counterpart that he will deliver long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev, contrary to what was broadcast during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington, North American network NBC reported on Friday.
Kiev has been insisting on these missiles for months, but Washington is reluctant for fear of an escalation of the war with Russia.
Three sources in the US Congress confirmed to NBC today that the US president told him during the meeting between Biden and Zelensky at the White House on Thursday that Washington will provide Kiev with “a small quantity” of ATACMS missiles that could be used in the counter-offensive Kiev. recapture territory from invading Russian forces.
Sources did not specify when the official announcement will be made or when shipping is scheduled.
Biden told Lithuania’s NATO summit in Vilnius in July that he was considering sending ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, but at the time his focus was on supplying artillery as it is most commonly used on the battlefield.
Since then, Ukraine has stepped up its push, arguing that ATACMS, with a range of about 300 kilometers, would be particularly effective in neutralizing Russian missile launchers in Crimea, from where ports in the south of the country are regularly attacked.
New aid package worth $325 million
The sending of these missiles was not mentioned in the $325 million aid package to Ukraine announced by Biden.
This package included weapons to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian attacks, both now and in the coming winter, when Russia could again attack critical infrastructure, including the electricity needed to keep homes warm.
In concrete terms, it includes another HAWK anti-aircraft battery, which can shoot down aircraft, as well as systems that can intercept missiles to protect the civilian population.
The ATACMS have a longer range than the French SCALP and the English Storm Shadow missiles, which both countries have already authorized to send to Ukraine.
States had already sent HIMARS artillery systems to Ukraine, but their range is about 80 kilometers.
The White House announced Thursday that the United States will provide “important” defense assets to Ukraine, but currently without supplying the long-range ATACMS missiles requested by Kiev.
The US president ‘has decided that he will not provide [mísseis] ATACMS, but did not rule out this possibility in the future,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a news conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in Washington where he was received at the White House, said this week that it would be a “disappointment” if he did not return to Kiev without these powerful tactical missiles.
However, Sullivan praised the results of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, criticized by several US military officials who spoke anonymously to the media.
Several Republican opposition members of Congress have defended the end of financial and military aid to Ukraine, largely because they believe it is a lost cause.
It was Zelensky’s second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, at a time when Biden’s request to Congress for an additional $24 billion (22.5 billion euros) for military and humanitarian aid in Ukraine hangs in the balance.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Ukraine’s Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort.
Source: DN
