By Special Correspondent
Washington: The Russia-Ukraine war is not likely to end soon. In a bid to fuel the fire, US President Joe Biden has given a green signal to provide a security package to Ukraine worth $US625 million ($A962 million). The move has prompted a warning from Moscow that such a move risks a direct military clash between Russia and the West.
The main feature of this security assistance package is the provision of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers which have done a great job, so far for Ukraine’s successful counter-offensive efforts and were instrumental in retreating Russian troops.
In a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden underscored that Washington would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to US media reports, Biden “pledged to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression for as long as it takes,” it added.
https://theislamabadtelegraph.com/2022/10/04/ukraine-military-pushes-russian-forces-in-defensive-crouch-in-kherson/: Russia locks Horns with the US for over $625 million Security Package to Ukraine
The aid package is the first since Russia’s most recently declared annexation of Ukrainian territory and the second Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) since Ukraine’s large battlefield gains in mid-September.
The US’s assurance of security assistance has prompted a strong reaction from Russia. Russia’s envoy to the United States warned that Biden’s offer fuelled the danger of a direct military clash between Russia and the West.
On the Telegram messaging app, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov urged Washington to stop “provocative actions” that could lead to “serious consequences”.
“We perceive this as an immediate threat to the strategic interests of our country,” Media reports quoted him as saying.
According to Australian Associated Press, Russia’s declared annexations last week followed what it called referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine. Western governments and Kyiv said the votes breached international law and were coercive and non-representative.
The State Department said in a release the package includes four HIMARS launchers and associated rockets, 32 Howitzers with 75,000 rounds of ammunition, 200 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and Claymore anti-personnel mines.
Made by Lockheed Martin Corp, the HIMARS launchers’ accuracy and longer range have allowed Kyiv to reduce Russia’s artillery advantage.
Last week, the United States unveiled a $US1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine, which included 18 HIMARS launcher systems, accompanying munitions, various types of counter-drone systems, and radar systems.
But last week’s aid package was funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) meaning the government has to procure the weapons from industry, rather than pulling them from existing US weapons stocks.
The United States has now pledged 20 HIMARS launchers to Ukraine using PDA.
This announcement would mark more than $US16.8 billion worth of US security assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
