The United States just announced $3 billion in new military supplies for Ukraine.
Some of the weapons that could take years to arrive are included.
Insider was told by experts that this was a vote of confidence in the ability of the Ukrainians to fight Russia.
The US's biggest-yet haul of weapons for Ukraine was announced by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
The weapons include air defense systems, radars, and artillery systems. Insider has learned that some of them reveal the US's desire to show long-term commitment to Ukraine and its faith that it can fight back against Russia.
Allies worried that weapons would end up in the hands of Russia when Ukraine invaded.
Allies gaveUkraine more advanced systems as it fought back.
Missiles and counter-artillery equipment were designed to instantly react and repel the way Russia was fighting.
The new $2.98 billion haul, which includes equipment that helpsUkraine gather intelligence, is a show of confidence in the country as it focuses on what could be needed in months or years to come, experts said.
According to Insider, the haul is an indication of continued commitment to the idea of Ukrainian victory, not just some temporary or stopgap measure.
According to Marina Miron, a research fellow at the King's College London Center for Military Ethics, the long delivery times should be seen as a vote of confidence in the ability of the Ukrainians to fight back.
She said the announcement was a way for the US to show they are capable.
It was significant that Biden made his announcement on August 24.
Miron said it "signifies a continuation of support for Ukraine and its effort to sustain Russia's offensives" and was designed to lift the spirit of the Ukrainian armed forces after six months of war.
The previous US weapons were what the country had available when Biden's announcement was made.
Some of the equipment may not reach a battlefield in Ukraine for at least a year or two, according to US officials.
The idea that the US is looking to support longer-term success and longer-term arrangements is supported by this.
Colin Kahl, the US undersecretary of defense for policy, told a Wednesday Pentagon briefing that the new package of weapons were not intended for today's fight, and that the relatively slow release of weapons should convince Russia not to expect US support to waivers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that he can wait everyone out. The Ukrainians will be exhausted, so he can wait them out. We will turn our attention away from him. He can delay the Europeans out because of high energy prices.
This package is important because it indirectly challenges Putin's theory of the case, which is that we are not in it for the long haul.
A Vampire system that can shoot drones out of the sky is one of the new weapons.
The weapons show that the US is different from before.
She said that the drones allow the Ukrainians to be more tactical and get timely intelligence.
She warned that the lack of a clear timetable for when weapons will arrive makes it difficult to figure out how effective they will be in the war.
She said that the weapons should serve as a deterrent for the Russians because they should show the US' continued commitment.
Business Insider has an article on it.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
