Ukrainian Prime Minister's Direct Proposal to the Pentagon

During a meeting with the US Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon on April 12, Prime Minister Shmyhal thanked Washington for its "significant military support", including sending Abrams tanks and Bradley and Stryker infantry fighting vehicles.

Mr. Shmyhal affirmed that Ukraine "will win this conflict".

"However, to achieve this faster and with fewer casualties, Ukraine still needs strong military support, more air defense systems to mitigate the impact of Russian airstrikes, along with more heavy artillery, mortars and ammunition. We also expect the US side to reconsider the possibility of providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles," the Ukrainian prime minister continued.

In February, US officials told Ukraine that Washington would not send the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 km to Kiev due to concerns about limited supplies.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (left) speaks during a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, April 12. AP photo

According to The Hill , the US Secretary of Defense did not comment on the above information. However, Mr. Austin previously pledged to invest in the US defense industrial base to continue supporting Kiev.

Secretary Austin welcomed Prime Minister Shmyhal to the Pentagon on April 12 as US national security agencies are investigating the leak of dozens of classified documents on social media sites in March related to Ukraine.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shmyhal had traveled to Canada to seek supplies of ammunition and armored vehicles for Kiev’s counteroffensive against Russian forces. “We need heavy armored vehicles now,” Shmyhal told the Globe & Mail on April 11. “And we need more ammunition, including howitzer shells and tank shells. That is extremely important for our counteroffensive.”

Also according to the Globe & Mail , Kiev forces are expected to launch a counter-offensive campaign to regain control of lands in eastern and southern Ukraine from Russian troops in the "coming weeks or months".

Polish MiG-29 fighter jet. Photo: The Aviationist

Since Russia began its special military operation more than a year ago, Ukraine has urged the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to provide advanced fighter jets to protect the country's skies.

The Hill reported that some NATO countries such as Slovakia and Poland have agreed to send Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. In contrast, Western countries have so far not sent more advanced F-15 and F-16 fighter jets to support Kiev.

The Biden administration is undeterred by Slovakia and Poland's commitment to send aircraft. "We have not changed our position on providing fighter aircraft to Ukraine at this time. That is our sovereign decision," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

So far, the Biden administration has been extremely cautious about transferring missile systems to Ukraine that can reach Russia.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/de-nghi-truc-tiep-cua-thu-tuong-ukraine-voi-lau-nam-goc-20230413073249269.htm