NBC quoted the US military as saying that President Joe Biden’s administration turned down Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles for fear of a dangerous Russian response.
Military officials said senior Pentagon officials opposed the idea.
Defense Department officials who have advised against supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACM) have raised concerns that the missiles could be used against targets inside Russia, potentially sparking a wider war with Russia.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned the US against providing such weapons to Ukraine, calling it a “red line.”
“If Washington decides to supply Kyiv with long-range missiles, it will cross the red line and become a direct party to the conflict,” Zakharova said.
On Thursday, the Biden administration announced another massive $600 million military aid package to Ukraine, including artillery shells, mines and other highly mobile missile systems. But the aid does not include ATACM equipment, which has a longer range than the artillery and missile systems delivered to Ukraine so far.
On Tuesday, Biden said that Washington would not send missile systems to Ukraine that would reach Russia.
Source: NBC