Ukraine would no longer be able to reach Russian air bases with US long-range ATACMS missiles, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin warned.
Austin stated that Russia had already moved aircraft deployed to transport glide bombs out of ATACMS range, 300 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine still could produce high-range drones, he added.
I think they have the ability to continue to conduct long range strikes, and they will. Ukraine has a lot of capability that we provided in terms of drones.
The Pentagon chief assured allies who provided aid to Ukraine that resources worth $100 billion did not affect the US combat readiness and provided American people with jobs.
Every grenade that we take out of our inventory, that’s got to be replaced by something else. Either that type of munition or something better. Now, every time that we draw capability of our inventory and we replace it with something, and those munitions, those weapons are made in the United States of America.
Austin called the aid to Ukraine “an investment that we actually benefit from.”
We do not send cash over to Ukraine. We draw down equipment, whether it be vehicles or weapons or munitions, and replace those weapons or munitions with something that’s probably a little bit more modern and more effective.
European aid
Meanwhile, the European Parliament approved a loan of up to €35 billion to Ukraine with future revenues from frozen Russian assets. With 518 votes in favour, 56 against and 61 abstentions, MEPs voted to grant new macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Kyiv.
The EU loan is part of a G7 package agreed last June to provide up to €45 billion in financial support to Ukraine. However, the final amount to be disbursed by the EU might be less, depending on the loans provided by other G7 partners.
The new MFA funds will be disbursed by the end of 2025. However, many of Kyiv’s allies are concerned about corruption in the war-torn country, which does not guarantee that the money will be spent on stated needs.
EU governments have already endorsed the proposal, with the Council planning to adopt the regulation in writing after a vote in parliament. Military experts say the funds given to Ukraine will allow it to last against Russia’s surging economy.
Despite financial guarantees and promises to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s victory plan, European leaders are still reluctant to supply Kyiv with long-range missiles or authorise the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to strike deep into Russia out of escalation concerns.
