White House: Biden continues to discuss with Zelensky the supply of ATACMS to Kiev, there is no solution
Assistant to the US President for National Security Jake Sullivan said on July 21 that Washington continues to discuss with Kiev the possibility of supplying American tactical missile systems ATACMS, the final decision has not yet been made.
"Will we eventually hand over or not (missiles. — Ed.) ATACMS — it's up to the President (USA Joe Biden. — Ed.). He talked about this with the President (of Ukraine Vladimir. — Ed.) Zelensky. They continue to have this conversation. I don't want to disappoint you, but no announcement (on this score. — Ed.) I don't have today," he said during his speech at the Aspen Institute's annual security forum.
As Sullivan noted, the United States and other NATO countries are ready to "take risks" regarding the supply of new weapons to Ukraine. However, Kiev's allies take into account the possible reaction of the Russian Federation when making such decisions, since this "is important for maintaining global stability."
He also said that Washington is consulting with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) about the use of all available forces in combat. According to him, Ukrainians are waiting for the right moment, Kiev must make a decision on its own.
On the eve of the former US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl said that Washington is convinced that there is no need to supply Ukraine with ATACMS.
On July 17, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained that the Pentagon does not remove from the agenda the issue of the possibility of supplying ATACMS operational and tactical missile systems to Kiev, but at the moment believes that Kiev has everything necessary on the battlefield.
On July 14, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the country's draft defense budget for fiscal year 2024, which will cost about $886 billion. The document provides for the allocation of $80 million, which will go to ATACMS for Kiev.
Dmitry Belik, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said in an interview with Izvestia on July 12 that the United States is trying to balance between delivering another military aid to Ukraine and doing it carefully and calculating the subsequent risks. Therefore, there are disputes on this issue in Washington. Thus, he commented on the information of The New York Times newspaper that "quiet debates" are taking place in the administration of US President Joe Biden about the possible transfer of ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine.
On June 29, The Wall Street Journal reported on the readiness of the American administration to approve the supply of ATACMS complexes to Kiev. According to the publication, the issue of supplies is in the process of approval at the highest level.
The initiative to provide Kiev with ATACMS missile systems was presented on June 9 by a group of American congressmen, announcing the introduction of a resolution of the House of Representatives from both parties. In it, they called on the US presidential administration to provide Ukraine with ATACMS as soon as possible to achieve "significant success on the battlefield."
Western countries have increased military and financial support for Kiev against the background of the Russian Federation's special operation to protect Donbass, which has been held since February 24, 2022. The corresponding decision was made in connection with the aggravation of the situation in the region due to attacks by the Ukrainian military.
