The supply of sophisticated weapons that the United States Sending them to Ukraine is likely to heighten tensions between Moscow and Washington. Putin has warned Biden not to proceed with the aid because otherwise there could be “unpredictable consequences” for global security. However, the Pentagon is going its own way and “within 24 hours” the first shipment will arrive “in the region”, apparently with no indication of where. As we saw on InsideOver, the $800 million military aid package includes helicopters and 155mm howitzers capable of hitting targets at very long ranges.
The risk escalation
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Anton Blinken, makes gloomy predictions about the duration of the war for the whole of 2022, multiplying the risk factors of a confrontation between Russia and the Western world. Tensions are also rising over relations between the European Union and Moscow, which has decided to expel 18 EU representation staff in response to a similar “hostile crackdown” by Brussels on 19 Russian embassy officials to the EU. But the Union responded, speaking of an “unfounded decision” that would exacerbate Russia’s “international isolation” and repeating calls to “put an end to aggression against Ukraine.”
Putin’s warning
Vladimir Putin’s warning about the shipment of new American weapons was received in Washington and relates to the possible delivery of several rocket launchers to the Ukrainian armed forces, although it is not yet certain whether the US and NATO have plans to send these types of weapons. In addition to the Americans, the Russian investigative committee has said that 24 countries are arming Kyiv, 21 of which are members of the alliance. “This is what we do appeal to the United States and its allies to put an end to the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which is having unpredictable consequences for regional and international security,” the Russians write in a note, accusing the West of the danger that sophisticated weaponry ends up being neglected in the hands of what Moscow calls “radical nationalist forces” in Ukraine.
Washington’s answer
As mentioned, Biden is going his own way with the new supplies to Zelenskyy, especially since the war is being waged in a territory more favorable for the Russians, the Donbass. “We had warned Russia that if it invaded Ukraine, the response would be unprecedented. As Biden says, “big nations don’t bluff,” the State Department spokesman said. The Pentagon has not announced which weapons will be delivered first, but in addition to helicopters and cannons, essential to try to offset Russian artillery superiority before the land offensive in eastern Ukraine, it will also include armored vehicles, hundreds of Javelin antitank systems and 300 Switchblade Give suicide drones.
The role of the American soldiers
To ensure that the Ukrainians make the best use of all the weapons and technology sent by the US. American soldiers will have to, too train Zelesnky’s powers in using some of the more sophisticated systems, notably some types of radar. Despite full support for Ukraine, Biden, at the suggestion of his staff, abandoned the mission he planned to carry out in Kyiv. Traveling is too “risky,” said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Rumor has it that Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin or Secretary of State Blinken, who shared his prophecy with European allies about the likely length of the war in the coming months, could travel to the Ukrainian capital. And the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman’s warning about Sweden and Finland is helping to add fuel to the fire. When the two countries join NATO, says Maria Zakharova, they will not find “greater security” but, on the contrary, “they will automatically find themselves on the front lines of the alliance”.