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The United States will support Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” according to US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time).
He declared, “We’re going to stand with you — as long as it takes,” addressing the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, who was present, in his first big speech to a divided Congress following Republicans’ takeover of the House of Representatives.
At the US Capitol during his second State of the Union speech, he declared, “Our nation is working for more freedom, more dignity, and more peace — not just in Europe, but everywhere.”
According to the Pentagon, the US has committed more than USD 29 billion since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupted on February 24, 2022.
On Friday, Joe Biden unveiled the most recent package, totaling more than USD 2.17 billion and including longer-range missiles for the first time.
Last month, the US pledged to giving Ukraine 31 modern M-1 Abrams tanks, a decision that was reached in coordination with European nations giving Ukraine Leopard 2 tanks built in Germany.
It was a crossing of a red line that had previously been upheld by the US and other Western nations, including Germany. The tanks are strong new weapons that enable Ukraine to go on the offensive and recapture territory taken by Russia, according to CNN.
When the news was first announced, Joe Biden emphasized Moscow should not consider the tanks a “offensive threat.” Putin claimed last week, according to CNN, that the West was threatening Moscow “again” with Leopard fighter tanks built in Germany.
For the US, fighter jets are one thing that is still off the menu. Previously, Biden replied, “No, I would send jets to Ukraine.”
Jets, according to US and ally sources, would not be practicable because they require intensive training and because Russia has powerful anti-aircraft systems that could easily shoot them down.
All of this occurs as Kiev increases pressure on allies to send additional aid and armaments, particularly fighter jets, in anticipation of a potential Russian attack in the spring. Russian attacks frequently target civilian locations, CNN reported, and fierce fighting is still going on in eastern Ukraine.
A potential offensive in the south using a different style of fighting that takes advantage of the recent commitment of billions of dollars in new military hardware by Western allies is also being prioritized by US and Western officials in place of the brutal, months-long battle in the eastern city of Bakhmut.
All of this comes as Kiev increases pressure on allies to send more aid and weapons, particularly fighter jets, ahead of a possible Russian offensive in the spring. Even now, heavy fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with Russian attacks frequently targeting civilian targets, according to CNN.
Furthermore, US and Western officials are urging Ukraine to shift its focus away from the brutal, months-long battle in the eastern city of Bakhmut and toward a potential offensive in the south, employing a different style of fighting that takes advantage of billions of dollars in new military hardware recently committed by Western allies.
