Biden open to sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
According to Politico, Joe Biden is "open" to providing Ukraine with long-range JASSM cruise missiles. This type of weapon would significantly enhance the combat capabilities of Ukraine’s F-16 fighters.
8:27 PM EDT, August 15, 2024
According to the portal, which refers to an administration representative, although a final decision on transferring JASSM missiles has not yet been made, it is already being technically and formally prepared. This includes adapting Ukrainian fighters to this type of ammunition. The Pentagon and the White House have neither officially confirmed nor denied the portal's reports.
JASSM is a relatively new air-to-ground cruise missile with a range of up to 230 miles and a 1,000-pound warhead. The Ukrainian arsenal could use it for strikes deep behind enemy lines, similar to the Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles already provided by the United Kingdom and France.
On Thursday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that another package of weapons for Ukraine would be revealed soon, but he did not provide any details.
Support for Ukraine. Senators announce new project
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who, along with his Republican colleague Lindsey Graham, visited Kyiv this week, announced that they would propose a new package of support measures for Ukraine and aim to pass it by the end of the year. The last package, amounting to $60 billion, was adopted in April, and the funds were supposed to last a year.
The politicians also want to codify the provisions of the bilateral US-Ukraine security agreement to prevent future administrations from abandoning it.