US strongly opposes sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
According to US reports, the US strongly objects to sending long-range missiles to Ukraine, despite requests from Volodymyr Zelensky and Congress.
Joe Biden US policy on sending the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) appears to have softened in May when the US president said the technology is “still in the game.”
But according to the Washington Post, the policy of not sending missiles is likely to remain in place despite public perception that there is a “gravitational pull” to approval.
Underlying the administration's reluctance to send missiles is the limited size of the US arsenal and fears that the conflict could spiral out of control if Ukraine launches them into Russia.
Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelensky appear to have discussed missiles at the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Ukraine has long pushed for missiles with a range of 190 miles, which it says are needed to destroy Russian command posts. back from the front line.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded for ATACMS. Photo: JO YONG HAK/AFP
Ukraine has requested hundreds of missiles along with Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, who said Thursday they are at the top of Ukraine's purchase list.
Kyiv's cause has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Michael McCall, chairman of the House of Representatives, said: “There is no reason to give Ukraine just enough to make it bleed, but not enough to win.”
America's ATACMS policy is different from its NATO partners' approach to missiles.
On Kiev's assurances that it will not target Russia itself, the UK and France delivered Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles with a range of 140 miles to Ukraine.
Proponents of the ATACMS delivery hope the US stance will evolve in the same way as its approach to Kiev's F-16 aircraft.
Earlier this year, the administration Biden refused Western allies permission to conduct training on the plane.
But after changing its mind, Washington joined NATO: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that aircraft training would begin “in weeks, not months.”
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The training center was set up in Romania.
The jets were seen as essential to support the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which was stalled by Russia's air superiority.
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blin Ken said that Ukraine has already regained half of the territory taken by Russia during its invasion.
“It is still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It's tough,” he said, adding, “It won't happen for the next week or two. I think we're still looking at a few months.”
He also confirmed that he expected Ukraine to get the F-16s.
“And most importantly, make sure that when they do, they will be properly trained, able to maintain the aircraft and use them wisely.”
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