The Biden administration intends to send Javelin anti-tank systems, mortars, portable Stinger air defense systems and Mi-17 helicopters purchased from Russia to Ukraine, CNN found out. American military advisers can also go to Ukraine.
The US is in talks with European allies to develop a new package of sanctions in case Russian troops invade Ukraine
The White House is considering sending an additional batch of weapons to Ukraine due to the threat of a Russian attack. The United States may also send military advisers to Ukraine. This was reported by CNN on Monday, November 22.
According to the newspaper, the package of assistance to Ukraine may include Javelin anti-tank missiles, as well as mortars. Air defense systems, such as Stinger missiles.
The US Department of Defense insists on sending equipment to Ukraine that was previously planned to be sent to Afghanistan. It includes, for example, Mi-17 helicopters. This is a Russian helicopter that the United States originally bought to transfer to the Afghans.
"The Pentagon is now deciding what to do with them after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan," the report says.
At the same time, a number of US officials are concerned that sending weapons to Ukraine could be regarded by Moscow as a serious escalation of the conflict.
In particular, retired Lieutenant Colonel Cedric Layton told CNN that Javelin anti-tank missiles "are very effective against T-80 tanks, which the Russians are actually using against Ukraine right now."
He also noted that any additional assistance to Ukraine is undoubtedly fraught with "further aggravation of tensions in relations with Moscow."
Earlier, the media reported that the Ukrainian authorities appealed to the United States with a request for the supply of anti-ship Harpoon missiles.
Earlier, Ukraine received a shipment of weapons from the United States. Weapons and ammunition were delivered as part of the provision of additional security assistance from the US government for the Armed Forces.
The United States also called on allies to supply Ukraine with weapons. A Pentagon spokeswoman said that other countries need to lift restrictions on the supply of lethal weapons to Kiev.
Olga Demyanchuk
