US Announces Additional Advanced Rocket and Other Weapon Support to Ukraine

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] As Russia's invasion of Ukraine prolongs, the Joe Biden administration announced on the 1st (local time) that it will provide additional advanced weapons, including rockets, to Ukraine. However, it drew a line by stating that these weapons will not be used to attack Russian mainland.

According to the White House, President Joe Biden stated in a press release that "the United States stands with its Ukrainian partners and will continue to provide the weapons and equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself," unveiling a new security assistance package for Ukraine.

President Biden explained, "The people of Ukraine are bravely fighting to defend their homeland and democracy against Russia's invasion," adding, "The new package includes advanced weapons such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to defend their territory from Russia's advance."

According to the Department of Defense, the $700 million package includes HIMARS, counter-artillery and air surveillance radars, Javelin anti-tank missiles and launchers, four Mi-17 helicopters, 15 tactical vehicles, ammunition, and shells. Among these, HIMARS is a system capable of launching Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets with a maximum range of 80 km. This is interpreted as partially accommodating Ukraine's request for long-range missiles. Since Russia's invasion at the end of February, the total military aid provided by the U.S. to Ukraine amounts to approximately $4.6 billion.

However, the U.S. emphasized that the provided weapons are for defense against Russian attacks only and will not be used for offensive purposes. U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said at a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington D.C., "Ukraine has confirmed that it will not use this (rocket) system against targets on Russian territory."

On the same day, Secretary Blinken expressed skepticism about the possibility of an early end to the Ukraine war, stating, "If Russia stops its attacks, the war could end tomorrow. But I have seen no signs of that right now." He added that the U.S. assessment is that several more months of conflict are still expected.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.