Major media outlets reported on the 22nd that U.S. President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and mentioned support for ATACMS long-range tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.
NEW: U.S. will provide Ukraine with a small number of long-range missiles to aid the war with Russia, officials familiar with the discussions tell @NBCNews. https://t.co/NBtIuAEJMy
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 22, 2023
NBC quoted senior government officials as saying that President Biden told President Zelenskyy that ‘a small amount of ATKIMS will be supported in the war against Russia’ during a meeting held at the White House the previous day (21st).
These officials did not comment on when Atae Kims will receive support in Ukraine and whether the support will be officially announced.
On this day (the 22nd), the Washington Post reported that the Biden administration would soon announce that it would provide ATKIMs equipped with cluster bombs to Ukraine.
Bloomberg News reported that after providing a small amount, a plan is being considered to increase the amount supported by Atae Kims.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a briefing prior to the meeting the previous day, “President Biden has decided not to provide Atae Kims today.”
However, he added, “We will not remove this from the negotiating table in the future.”
Although the United States has not made an official announcement, it has consistently expressed its intention to support Atae Kims in the near future.
■ Warfare expansion concerns and production volume
Atae Kims’ range is estimated to be over 300 km, making it capable of hitting the Russian mainland.
Ukraine has consistently requested support for this weapon, but the United States has not decided to provide it due to concerns about escalation of war.
The low production volume is one of the reasons why the United States did not readily provide support.
If Ukraine secures Atae Kims, it will be able to directly strike supply lines, railways, and command centers deep in the rear of the anti-Russian front.
In addition, at the meeting on the 21st, President Biden announced that Abrams tanks will be delivered starting next week, so attention is being paid to how this will affect the Ukrainian army’s ‘great counterattack’ that will secure improved military power.
See also: Biden “begins formalization of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine”…Zelensky “thanks to the United States for being a true ally”
The Ukrainian military launched a major counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory in early June, and has not achieved any significant results nearly four months later, so it is in desperate need of military support from the United States.
This is Oh Jong-su of VOA News.
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2023-09-22 19:36:10
