The Biden administration is moving towards fulfilling Ukrainian requests for advanced long-range ballistic missiles, as per two U.S. officials.
Initially, the U.S. supplied Ukraine with the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), but only the older medium-range variant. Now, the U.S. is considering providing the longer-range version, enabling Ukraine to target deeper into the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula.
However, the uncertainty looms over U.S. funding for arms shipments due to opposition from former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. While the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, it’s unclear when the GOP-controlled House will vote on it.
Pro-Trump Republicans have conditioned approval of military aid to Ukraine on the Biden administration agreeing to GOP immigration and border security measures. Defense officials state that the U.S. has a limited inventory of ATACMS and is unlikely to send them to Ukraine without funding to replenish its own stockpiles.
Biden Administration Tilting Towards Providing Ukraine with Long-Range Missiles (Credits: Report)
If Congress approves more funding for Ukraine, the U.S. could include the long-range ATACMS in the initial military aid packages. Meanwhile, ammunition and artillery are ready for immediate shipment pending funding approval.
The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the need for longer-range weapons during discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Kuleba highlighted the strategic importance of long-range missiles for hitting deep into occupied territories, bypassing Russian defenses. Despite concerns about escalating conflict, the Biden administration has decided to provide these weapons to Ukraine.
Kuleba urged European allies to expedite support, emphasizing the threat posed by Russian advances in Ukraine. He called for increased production of weapons and ammunition to aid Ukraine’s defense efforts.
