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The long-range missiles fitted onto newly-acquired F-16 fighter planes would give Ukraine edge at a time it’s making gains inside Russia read more
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The United States may send long-range missiles that may be fitted onto Ukrainian F-16 fighters (Photo: AP)
The Joe Biden administration is open to sending long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, according to a report.
Even as the United Kingdom and Germany have allowed Ukraine to use their weapons, tanks, and armoured vehicles inside Russia, the United States has so far not denied such permission to Ukraine.
Now, Politico has reported that the Biden administration is open to sending Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSMs) to Ukraine and is currently working out the technicalities. The missiles are likely to be fitted on to F-16 fighter planes that Ukraine has recently acquired — if the United States gives them to Ukraine.
The report comes at a time when Ukraine has captured around 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territories in the ongoing incursion in Russia’s border province of Kursk. The Ukrainian forces have captured at least one town and 74 settlements as the invasion has extended to the second province of Belgorod.
Coupled with the F-16 fighter planes that Ukraine has got from European partners, the missiles’ delivery being considered by the Biden administration could give teeth to the Ukrainian forces.
The push for sending long-range missiles to Ukraine comes towards the end of Biden’s tenure. The idea appears to be to equip Ukraine ahead of the election.
In case Donald Trump wins the election, he is likely to curtail aid to Ukraine, which may tank Ukrainian war efforts. Trump and his far-right Make America Great Again (MAGA) wing of the Republican Party have been opposed to the aid to Ukraine and have favoured a deal with Russia in a way that’s deemed to favour Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Before the election, Ukraine as well as partners are attempting to maximise the gains on the battlefield to put Ukraine in a better position to bargain with any future Trump administration.
While the Biden administration is considering giving JASSMs to Ukraine now, Ukraine already possesses some long-range weapons, such as the British Storm Shadow missiles but apprehensions of the United States means that the British have not greenlit its usage inside Russia.
Ukraine has long demanded the United States to lift its limitations on the usage of long-range weapons inside Russia. So far, the United States has only allowed limited cross-border usage of US weapons in the Kharkiv region.
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English (US) ·