US will send longer-range rockets to Ukraine.
President Biden announced that the United States will send Ukraine more advanced rocket systems to assist it in defending itself.
The weapons, which Ukraine has long sought, will allow it to strike enemy forces more precisely from a greater distance.
Until now, the US had refused the request out of concern that the weapons could be used against Russian targets.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said the US was “directly and intentionally adding fuel to the fire” with its weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Separately, the German government has promised to send Ukraine an air defense system.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz told lawmakers that Germany’s IRIS-T system was the most modern it had and would allow Ukraine to defend itself.
He went on to say that he would supply tracking radar capable of detecting enemy artillery as well as multiple rocket launchers.
Act of balancing
Mr. Biden stated on Wednesday that the lethal aid would strengthen Kiev’s negotiating position against Russia and increase the likelihood of a diplomatic solution.
“That is why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine,” he wrote.
This is a delicate balancing act for Mr. Biden, as providing more powerful weapons may provoke a reaction from Russia, potentially resulting in direct conflict between the US and its Nato allies and Moscow.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System will be among the new weapons.
