US aims to increase arms supply to Ukraine ahead of Trump's takeover - WSJ
The departing US administration is making efforts to equip Ukraine as extensively as possible prior to Donald Trump's inauguration. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The outgoing Biden administration is working to fully utilize funds designated for Ukraine in order to supply additional weapons to the country, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, which cites unnamed White House officials. However, the plan is facing logistical challenges as the U.S. continues to deplete its already limited stockpiles.
Currently, Washington has more than $7 billion in drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to transfer weapons and ammunition to Kiev. Additionally, there is another $2 billion available for long-term equipment contracts for Ukraine, as noted by the WSJ.
The upcoming delivery is set to include around 500 anti-aircraft missiles for various systems, such as Patriots and NASAMS, as indicated by a senior Biden administration official. These missiles are expected to arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, addressing the country’s air defense needs for the remainder of the year.
Despite these intentions, the plan has sparked concerns regarding further depletions of already strained U.S. weapons stockpiles, according to the newspaper. Officials caution that rushing to funnel a significant amount of weaponry within just a few weeks is likely to lead to logistical issues and place an additional burden on U.S. capabilities.
The urgency to deliver as many weapons as possible to Ukraine before President Joe Biden’s term concludes is aimed at providing Kiev with an advantage and bolstering its “negotiating position,” the WSJ reports. Initially, Washington aimed to complete the deliveries by April ahead of the presidential election, but the potential victory of Donald Trump seems to have led the outgoing administration to hasten the process.
Trump has long criticized the extensive support provided to Kiev and has repeatedly stated his intention to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine quickly, possibly even before officially taking office. However, he has offered little specific detail about how he plans to achieve that.
The planned delivery may fall short of Kiev’s growing demands for weaponry. Separately, the WSJ has reported that Washington has denied Ukraine’s request for additional ATACMS ballistic missiles. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that the request to prioritize Ukraine over other customers awaiting these missiles was “too much to ask.”
The Pentagon has been hesitant to send more ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, arguing that these munitions are not necessary, as Russia has already relocated its valuable assets beyond their reach.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
Currently, Washington has more than $7 billion in drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to transfer weapons and ammunition to Kiev. Additionally, there is another $2 billion available for long-term equipment contracts for Ukraine, as noted by the WSJ.
The upcoming delivery is set to include around 500 anti-aircraft missiles for various systems, such as Patriots and NASAMS, as indicated by a senior Biden administration official. These missiles are expected to arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, addressing the country’s air defense needs for the remainder of the year.
Despite these intentions, the plan has sparked concerns regarding further depletions of already strained U.S. weapons stockpiles, according to the newspaper. Officials caution that rushing to funnel a significant amount of weaponry within just a few weeks is likely to lead to logistical issues and place an additional burden on U.S. capabilities.
The urgency to deliver as many weapons as possible to Ukraine before President Joe Biden’s term concludes is aimed at providing Kiev with an advantage and bolstering its “negotiating position,” the WSJ reports. Initially, Washington aimed to complete the deliveries by April ahead of the presidential election, but the potential victory of Donald Trump seems to have led the outgoing administration to hasten the process.
Trump has long criticized the extensive support provided to Kiev and has repeatedly stated his intention to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine quickly, possibly even before officially taking office. However, he has offered little specific detail about how he plans to achieve that.
The planned delivery may fall short of Kiev’s growing demands for weaponry. Separately, the WSJ has reported that Washington has denied Ukraine’s request for additional ATACMS ballistic missiles. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that the request to prioritize Ukraine over other customers awaiting these missiles was “too much to ask.”
The Pentagon has been hesitant to send more ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, arguing that these munitions are not necessary, as Russia has already relocated its valuable assets beyond their reach.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
