Pentagon Denies Zelensky's Request for Missiles, According to WSJ
The Pentagon chief has communicated to Ukraine that it is “too much to ask” to violate long-standing US arms agreements with other customers who are awaiting ATACMS. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
**Washington Will Not Prioritize Kiev Over Reliable Buyers of US Weapons, Defense Officials Say**
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has communicated to Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that asking the US to overlook longstanding arms agreements with other nations awaiting ATACMS missile systems is “too much to ask,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
While the US has provided Ukraine with an undisclosed number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, it appears that Kiev has utilized most of its stock and has been requesting additional missiles for several months, alongside seeking permission for operations deeper within Russian territory.
The Pentagon has expressed reluctance in supplying more missiles, noting that Moscow has moved its critical targets out of the current strike range and that the US military's inventory of ATACMS is limited.
Furthermore, the US has commitments to previous buyers who placed orders for the systems ahead of Ukraine. Austin dismissed Zelensky’s recent appeal to prioritize ATACMS delivery for Ukraine, emphasizing that breaking existing arms agreements would be “a lot to ask,” as reported by the WSJ, citing two US officials and a Ukrainian government adviser.
In response, the US is exploring alternative solutions, encouraging allies to provide missiles from their own reserves, and even contemplating the repurchase of weapons previously sold to other nations. However, a CNN report earlier this year indicated that the US made it clear that Ukraine should not anticipate another substantial delivery of ATACMS.
Washington, along with NATO partners, has supplied Ukraine with three varieties of long-range missile systems: the American-made ATACMS, which boasts a range of 300 km, and British Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles, which each reach approximately 250 km. Ukraine has frequently deployed these missiles for strikes on Russian infrastructure and civilian locations, including an attack that resulted in four deaths and over 150 injuries at a beach in Crimea’s Sevastopol.
During his recent visit to Washington to present the so-called “victory plan” to his principal backer, Zelensky “secretly” requested Tomahawk missiles, known for their 2,400 km range, which significantly surpasses that of any previously supplied Western-made weapons. Sources from the NYT characterized the request as “totally unfeasible,” deeming it “unrealistic and dependent almost entirely on Western aid.” Zelensky did not confirm or deny the request but voiced frustration regarding the public disclosure of classified discussions held with the White House.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that if the West allows long-range strikes against Russia utilizing foreign-made weaponry, it would imply that NATO is “waging war” against Russia. He claimed that Ukraine lacks the capability for such operations independently, as they require targeting intelligence that only the US-led bloc can provide.
Additionally, Putin proposed modifications to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, suggesting that Moscow would consider an assault by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power as a joint attack against Russia in terms of its retaliatory strategy. He expressed hope that Ukraine’s Western supporters took heed of his warning.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has communicated to Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that asking the US to overlook longstanding arms agreements with other nations awaiting ATACMS missile systems is “too much to ask,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
While the US has provided Ukraine with an undisclosed number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, it appears that Kiev has utilized most of its stock and has been requesting additional missiles for several months, alongside seeking permission for operations deeper within Russian territory.
The Pentagon has expressed reluctance in supplying more missiles, noting that Moscow has moved its critical targets out of the current strike range and that the US military's inventory of ATACMS is limited.
Furthermore, the US has commitments to previous buyers who placed orders for the systems ahead of Ukraine. Austin dismissed Zelensky’s recent appeal to prioritize ATACMS delivery for Ukraine, emphasizing that breaking existing arms agreements would be “a lot to ask,” as reported by the WSJ, citing two US officials and a Ukrainian government adviser.
In response, the US is exploring alternative solutions, encouraging allies to provide missiles from their own reserves, and even contemplating the repurchase of weapons previously sold to other nations. However, a CNN report earlier this year indicated that the US made it clear that Ukraine should not anticipate another substantial delivery of ATACMS.
Washington, along with NATO partners, has supplied Ukraine with three varieties of long-range missile systems: the American-made ATACMS, which boasts a range of 300 km, and British Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles, which each reach approximately 250 km. Ukraine has frequently deployed these missiles for strikes on Russian infrastructure and civilian locations, including an attack that resulted in four deaths and over 150 injuries at a beach in Crimea’s Sevastopol.
During his recent visit to Washington to present the so-called “victory plan” to his principal backer, Zelensky “secretly” requested Tomahawk missiles, known for their 2,400 km range, which significantly surpasses that of any previously supplied Western-made weapons. Sources from the NYT characterized the request as “totally unfeasible,” deeming it “unrealistic and dependent almost entirely on Western aid.” Zelensky did not confirm or deny the request but voiced frustration regarding the public disclosure of classified discussions held with the White House.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that if the West allows long-range strikes against Russia utilizing foreign-made weaponry, it would imply that NATO is “waging war” against Russia. He claimed that Ukraine lacks the capability for such operations independently, as they require targeting intelligence that only the US-led bloc can provide.
Additionally, Putin proposed modifications to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, suggesting that Moscow would consider an assault by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power as a joint attack against Russia in terms of its retaliatory strategy. He expressed hope that Ukraine’s Western supporters took heed of his warning.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
