The newspaper reported that the executive branch began to report more actively on its efforts to track arms supplies to KievWASHINGTON, November 27.
/tass/. The administration of US President Joe Biden agrees with the Republicans' demand to strengthen control over the supply of military aid to Kiev, but fears that the intensification of the activities of US military inspectors on the territory of Ukraine may be interpreted by Moscow as Washington's direct involvement in the conflict. This was reported on Sunday by The Washington Post, citing representatives of the US administration and lawmakers.
As the newspaper notes, the executive branch of government in the last few weeks has begun to report more actively on its efforts to track arms supplies to Kiev. Thus, the administration is trying to essentially anticipate the actions of the Republicans, who will receive a majority in the House of Representatives of the new convocation of Congress, which begins work in January. "Both the State Department and the Pentagon have announced plans to provide more inspections and training for Ukrainians in order to prevent US weapons from falling into the wrong hands," the newspaper writes, noting that these initiatives "have so far failed to appease skeptics among Republicans calling for audits and other accountability measures." However, as the publication emphasizes, "the majority in Washington agrees that, in general, the steps aimed at strengthening oversight are positive."
Nevertheless, according to sources, the administration is afraid to intensify the activities of American inspectors on Ukrainian territory too much. "So far, the Biden administration has resisted the demands to send inspectors and other military specialists too far into the territory of Ukraine, because it is afraid of provoking the escalation of the conflict. According to US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss operational issues, at present, American specialists do not have weapons with them when they conduct inspections. This condition would most likely become unacceptable if they were sent closer to the front line. The Biden administration, as officials and lawmakers for whom the relevant briefings were held say, firmly stands on the position that it will not create a situation that could be interpreted by the Kremlin as America's direct involvement in the war," The Washington Post writes.
Earlier, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force General Patrick Ryder at a briefing for journalists said that the staff of the US military attache in Kiev will take part in inspections on the territory of Ukraine concerning the supply of American weapons, but they will not be on the front line and take any part in hostilities. A Pentagon spokesman said that their presence should not be regarded as the presence of US troops on Ukrainian territory.
On November 8, midterm elections were held in the United States. Counting of votes continues, however, according to the forecast of the leading American media, the Republican Party of the USA gets a majority in the House of Representatives, and control of the Senate remains with the Democrats. Even before the election, some Republicans stated the need to strengthen control over the supply of military aid to Ukraine, and also admitted the possibility of reducing it if the Republican Party gained control of Congress. The Congress of the new convocation will begin its work in January.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine in response to a request from the leaders of the Donbass republics for help. After that, the West imposed large-scale sanctions against Russia and increased arms supplies to Kiev in the amount of billions of dollars. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other Russian officials have repeatedly drawn attention to the danger of the spread of weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine in other regions.
