US maintains its red lines to Kiev for arms against Russia
Marcel Gascon |
Kiev (EFE).- Months of intense campaign by Kiev for Washington to lift Ukraine’s ban on the use of US missiles against military targets inside Russia has not succeeded and the White House has opted for an alternative solution.
During his visit to Kiev this Monday, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced two additional packages of military aid to Ukraine. The first, worth $400 million, will allow the Ukrainian army to be strengthened with ammunition, military equipment and weapons.
But it is the latter that represents a novelty in the policy of US military assistance to Ukraine.
Unprecedented investment in military industry
In his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Austin pledged an unprecedented $800 million investment in Ukrainian military industry so Kiev can double production of long-range weapons, striking Russia deep in its rear.
In a press conference held during his visit to Italy this Thursday, Austin told that these are American investments.
They will continue to expand and will be used to make Ukraine’s drone manufacturing even more massive.
“We have seen that they hit targets located 400 kilometers or more from the border. And they can do it at a much lower cost than a ballistic missile,” Austin said, citing the effectiveness shown by Ukrainian-made drones to explain the convenience of prioritizing drones over missiles.
The defense secretary explained that the idea is to allow Ukraine to really mass produce these drones.
Kiev is increasingly attacking airports, ammunition and fuel depots and refineries with drones developed in Ukraine during the war.
Objective: To weaken Russian air superiority and logistics
Zelensky and other Ukrainian leaders believe that the multiplication of these attacks, which would mean they would be able to use the best Western weapons obtained for these operations, would dramatically weaken Russian air superiority and enemy logistics. Will give and change the situation on that front, where Ukraine has been losing every day for a year.
Austin indicated that with Ukraine’s commitment to invest in the mass production of these drones, permission for the use of US missiles against Russian territory has been ruled out.
“I think it responds, covers the needs that will be not only now but also in the future,” the Pentagon chief stressed, stressing that Ukrainian drones have a longer range than American ATACMS missiles. But Ukraine can reach its goals. .Used against targets located in their territories occupied by Russia.
“As we have said many times, ATACMS has a range of 300 kilometers. They (Ukrainians) are hitting targets more than 400 kilometers away,” Austin said, summing up the issue.
a long term solution
According to a study published in August by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington, 245 Russian military targets were within ATACMS range at the time.
According to ISW, their destruction with these missiles or the hypothetical withdrawal of mobile resources over distances beyond Ukrainian territory, would have an immediate impact on Russian logistics.
One of the problems posed by the commitment to finance the construction of drones in Ukraine rather than allowing the use of ATACMS against targets in Russia is the time factor.
Zelensky’s victory plan
Ukraine’s demand to be able to use ATACMS – and other missiles in its supply such as the French SCALP/T and the British Storm Shadow – is part of President Zelensky’s so-called Victory Plan, a series of urgent demands on its allies Is. Because their goal is to strengthen the Ukrainian side at the front in order to force Russia to negotiate a peace acceptable to Kiev as soon as possible.
The use of Western missiles could be immediately effective and reduce pressure on Ukrainian cities and the front immediately, while American investments that would bring increased production would yield results in the longer term.
Despite the Biden administration’s arguments to explain its refusal to lift sanctions, each deadly Russian attack in Ukraine is received with condemnation and frustration due to Western allies’ fear of threats of Russian retaliation, which, in their opinion, would harm Ukrainians. forces to do so. Protect yourself by tying one hand behind your back.