Zelensky demands ATACMS from Biden: Politico
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demands ATACMS missiles from Biden despite the latter pledging Patriot batteries just days ago for Ukraine.
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The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) (US Army)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked US President Joe Biden during the meeting that took place between the two counterparts in Washington, DC, for ATACMS missiles once again, Politico reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. However, the Ukrainian leader's attempts were fruitless.
The ATACMS have a range of 300 km in light of a Russian onslaught on Ukrainian, which has seen Moscow bolstering its positions.
The request came as the Russian forces have learned to adjust their positions in such a way that the US-supplied HIMARS missiles, which have a range just short of 130 km, have been rendered ineffective.
Regardless, the United States still had the same position regarding the weapons, a source said under the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said days ago the US would continue sending aid to Kiev while increasing military support for the country, including in terms of air defense systems.
"We are going to continue to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself, particularly air defense. That's why we're gonna be providing Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery and training Ukrainian forces to use it," Biden said.
Biden's words came in light of a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, DC. The United States involved itself excessively in security arrangements to bring Zelensky to the US, according to the White House.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier that day that the United States will provide an additional $1.85 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, with the assistance consisting of a Patriot air defense system.
"$1.85 Billion in Additional US Military Assistance, including the First Transfer of Patriot Air Defense System," Blinken said in a press release.
The Pentagon also announced that one Patriot air defense system, additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs), among other military hardware, are included in the recently announced $1.85 billion US security assistance package for Ukraine.
According to the press release, the package also includes small arms, explosives, armored vehicles, mortar systems, and 500 precisely guided 155mm artillery rounds.
It is worth noting that earlier in November, the Biden administration is currently scurrying to track down the approximately $20 billion in military aid it sent to Ukraine, amid a warning by Republicans of impending audits after they take over the House in January.
Incoming House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has previously stated that Ukraine will not receive a "blank check". The purpose of the audit is meant to track how the funds are being delivered and exactly where - as prior suspicions point to many shipped arms ending up on the black market.
Controversial Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who announced the audit decision, promised to "hold our government accountable", as other colleagues such as Rep. Jason Crow echoed to The Washington Post: "The taxpayers deserve to know that investment is going where it's intended to go," adding: "In any war, there can be missteps and misallocation of supplies."
The lawmakers called out current monitoring efforts as inadequate since the Biden administration inspected just 10% of the 22,000 weapons transported to Ukraine between February and November 1, according to the Post.
As the US is suffering to see where its money is going, the National Bank of Ukraine said on Wednesday that the total amount of official financial, military and humanitarian assistance announced and provided to Ukraine in 2022 has exceeded $120 billion.
The Council of the European Union, the NBU said, agreed on a new assistance mechanism for Ukraine in 2023 in the amount of 18 billion euros ($19.1 billion).
