An American rocket weapon is high on Ukraine’s wish list.
At the same time, Russia warns of the consequences if it is delivered to the war.
– If the Americans do this, they will clearly cross a red line, says the TV profile Olga Skabejeva on Russian state television.
The United States is preparing to help Ukraine further, reports CNN.
This time with an artillery weapon whose rockets will reach up to 300 kilometers, which is significantly longer than what is in the Ukrainian defense today.
The weapon is high on the Ukrainian wish list and may be on its way to the country as early as next week as part of a larger military package, according to Wall Street Journal.
The missile would, according to Ukraine, change the playing field in the war against Russia, which has now been going on for three months.
They have also asked for a similar artillery weapon, but which should be easier to maneuver.
“Cross a red line”
Ukraine has long asked for more reinforcements from the United States, but the White House has delayed decision-making as there has been concern that the weapons will be used for attacks in Russia.
Russian state television has warned of what could happen if the United States supplies Ukraine with artillery rockets.
– Now we are not even talking about tactical weapons anymore, but about the operational, tactical weapons, says Olga Skabejeva, a prominent TV profile on the Russian state channel Rossiya-1.
– If the Americans do this, they will clearly cross a red line, and it will be seen as an attempt to provoke a very harsh response from Russia, she says.
Although Olga Skabejeva does not speak for the Kremlin, her views often reflect the regime’s way of thinking.
The Kremlin itself has not commented on the information yet, but their spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state television last week that they are following developments closely.
– We know that many weapons come to Ukraine from the West. And you know very well what we think of it, it’s nothing new. Our military follows every delivery very closely, he says.
“Weapons, weapons and even more weapons”
The risk that it will be seen as an American provocation is one of the reasons why a decision has been delayed.
But there is also a concern about whether the United States can afford to give away so many expensive and powerful weapons.
On Friday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that their way of helping Ukraine had changed in the meantime, but that there was still no word on the latest artillery issue.
– We are still reviewing what the next step will be, he says.
But the protracted decision has caused frustration in Ukraine and the country’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba was asked on Thursday what the country’s most urgent need is.
– If you really care about Ukraine: weapons, arms and even more weapons.
– My least popular phrase is “we are working on it”. I hate it. I want to hear either “we solve it” or “it will not happen”, he says.