Kiev will receive everything it needs to defend itself and succeed on the battlefield against the Russian Federation, but providing Ukrainian troops with more powerful weapons could split the Alliance, the US president said.
The US and NATO cannot give Ukraine “all they can give” in terms of weapons because that could cause a rift in the Alliance. Furthermore, the military bloc fears that the supply of long-range weapons could lead to the outbreak of World War III. This is US President Joe Biden She said in a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, December 21.
The reporter, asking Biden a question, said that the United States had previously refused to transfer Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, fearing an escalation with Russia, however, they were still included in the new aid package from Washington. Against this background, a media employee asked whether Kiev would receive more powerful weapons, in particular long-range ATACMS missiles.
“Now you’re saying why we don’t give Ukraine everything we can give. There are reasons. Firstly, there is a whole Alliance, and it is important that it stays with Ukraine, and the idea that we will give material to ‘Ukraine is fundamentally different from what is already going there will have the prospect of dividing NATO, dividing the European Union and the world,” Biden replied.
At the same time, the US president assured that Ukraine’s Western allies will give it what it needs “so that it can defend itself and be successful on the battlefield.”
The second reason that Ukraine’s partners cannot supply more powerful weapons is the fear of thus directly getting involved in the war against the Russian Federation and, consequently, in the Third World War.
“I spent several hundred hours face-to-face with our European allies and the heads of state of these countries (NATO and EU – ed.). I demonstrated why it is in their interest to continue supporting Ukraine. They understand this perfectly. But they don’t they will fight Russia and they don’t want WW3 and I think all of this can be avoided by making sure Ukraine is able to be successful on the battlefield. Anyway, there’s more to say but I’ve probably said already too much,” Biden added.
Remember December 21st Zelensky flew to Washington to meet Joe Biden. After the talks, the leaders held a joint press conference, during which Biden confirmed the transfer of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Kiev.
And this night, Zelensky spoke before the US Congress. Representatives of both chambers greeted him with a standing ovation.
At the same time, according to media reports, representatives of the Republican Party in Congress demanded control over the aid provided to Kiev from Washington.
