The United States will not send the Ukrainian military rocket systems that can reach targets inside Russia, President Joe Biden said Monday, as Ukraine asks U.S. officials for long-range rockets to aid in its fight against Russian forces in the country's east.
On April 14, 2016 in the Philippines, a U.S.-made HIMARS was on static display.
Biden told reporters outside the White House that the United States would not send long-range rocket systems to Ukraine.
CNN and the Washington Post reported last week that the U.S. is planning to give Ukraine rocket systems that can strike targets hundreds of miles away.
According to the Post, the Biden Administration may give the Ukrainians with the units, but only with rockets that can hit within Russian territory, which would allay the risk of provoking Russia.
A Russian state television host called for a "very harsh response" from Russia after he called for shipments to Ukraine.
According to CNN and the Post, the Biden Administration planned to announce this week that it would provide the rocket systems to Ukraine, as part of the latest package of U.S.-supplied arms.
Russian forces are trying to fully occupy the eastern regions of Ukraine, known as the Donbas. One of the last major Ukrainian-controlled cities in Luhansk has been focused on by Russia in recent days. Ukrainian officials have asked for heavier and longer-range weapons so they can stop Russian advances at a further distance, with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba saying last week these weapons would help repel Russian attacks.
The United States has given billions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine. Dozens of U.S.-supplied howitzers have been offered to Ukraine by the U.S. The Biden Administration did not want to draw the U.S. into a confrontation with Russia. U.S. officials have refused to give Ukraine intelligence on targets within Russia, despite the fact that they are believed to have carried out sporadic attacks inside Russian territory.
A Russian TV host warns of crossing a "red line" as the US prepares to approve a long-range rocket system for Ukraine.
Those American rockets have been in demand. They are perfect for shooting Russian Artillery. (Forbes)
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