The Ukrainian counter-offensive creates doubts in Washington and the ultra-republicans are ready to close the tap of economic and military aid.
One thing and another did not seem to bode well. Until he received the impetus from the White House and his firm decision to continue arming Kyiv.
After passing through the UN General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to the federal capital of the United States. He had a clear mission after finding that the fervor he encountered on his December visit has given way to skepticism, if not rejection, among the Conservative ranks, who now control the Lower House and have power over the money box .
“If you don’t help us we will lose the war”, he told the senators. His speech did not go down well with the ultras, who are opposed to giving more checkbooks. Fortunately for him, Joe Biden greeted him with congratulations and communicated a decision that, according to experts, may be relevant to the development of the war conflict.
After long rejecting pleas from Zelenski and his generals, the Biden Administration agreed to supply Ukraine’s military with a version of the so-called ATACMS, long-range missiles loaded with cluster bombs instead of a single explosive charge. Discussions between various departments and Pentagon leaders ended with an agreement and put the issue in the hands of the president.
The armed group of ATACMS (responds to the initials of the army’s tactical missile system) has a range of up to 306 kilometers. This may allow Ukraine to launch attacks against targets far behind the war front. Command posts, munitions warehouses and logistics routes inside Russia, beyond established defense lines, will then be targeted.
At least two missiles launched by Ukrainian forces hit the barracks of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea on Friday. Military sources explained that the attack on the port of Sevastopol was with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a shorter range than the ATACMS, supplied by France and the United Kingdom.
Ukraine, with the support of US lawmakers, began making this request last year. Biden went from “no” to “we’ll see.” Until he gave his approval, a matter in which it seems that a possible cut in money to continue supporting Ukraine has been decisive.
The administration dismissed initial concerns that Kyiv, which has ordered hundreds of long-range missiles, would use them to strike inside Russian territory. Yet the Pentagon remains concerned that removing enough missiles from relatively small military arsenals to make a difference on the Ukrainian battlefield would undermine the readiness of the U.S. armed forces for other potential conflicts.
This issue was not addressed at any point in the statements that both Biden and Zelenski made publicly at the White House, where they did announce a new line of 325 million in aid, mostly for air defense systems. But, according to various media, the host promised the guest that the US would provide these missiles “in a small number”. This weaponry will begin shipping in a matter of weeks. The Washington Post advanced that this weaponry will carry cluster bombs, a highly criticized munition for what it entails, since it turns the territory into a minefield, then dangerous for civilians.
“I think that in the majority of cases that we deal with President Biden, we will reach an agreement”, stated Zelenski during his visit to Canada regarding this arms contribution.
Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, clarified that “there are constant conversations between the US military and Ukrainian allies about what is needed in each phase”.
