WP: The US is afraid of being left without ATACMS missiles after sending them to Kiev
The United States still does not intend to supply Ukraine with ATACMS tactical missile systems. This was reported by The Washington Post on July 22, citing sources in the Pentagon.
It is noted that the administration of US President Joe Biden "still firmly adheres" to its position and does not plan to transfer long-range missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, pressure from American lawmakers and Kiev is growing.
According to the newspaper, due to the disappointment due to the slow pace of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and Biden's ambiguous statements, speculation and speculation began about possible supplies of ATACMS to Ukraine in the near future. However, the source of the publication stressed that no substantive discussions are being held on this topic, Washington's position has not changed.
As the interlocutor of The Washington Post pointed out, the Pentagon believes that ATACMS complexes are not included in the list of the most urgent needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Also, the department fears undermining the combat readiness of the United States due to the supply of these missile systems to Kiev.
On the eve of the assistant to the US President for National Security, Jake Sullivan, said that Washington continues to discuss with Kiev the possibility of supplying ATACMS, but a final decision has not yet been made.
On July 20, former US Undersecretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl said that Washington is convinced that there is no need to supply Ukraine with ATACMS.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained on July 17 that the Pentagon does not remove from the agenda the issue of the possibility of supplying Kiev with operational and tactical missile systems ATACMS, 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.
