“The unfortunate conclusion to be drawn is that we in the West are saying to Russia, ‘It’s okay to shoot from Belarus to Ukraine. It’s okay to shoot from Russia, “General Breedlove said at a virtual security event.
“But it’s not good for Ukraine to shoot at Russia again.”
The fact is that Mr Zelensky had no choice but to accept the restrictions which Mr Biden had insisted on. He needs American armament, and similar equipment provided by the British, if he wants to have any hope of repelling Russia, which is currently making little daily progress on the Donbas.
Ukraine “is constantly re-evaluating its requirements, based on events on the ground, based on changes in the Russian approach,” Julianne Smith, the US ambassador to NATO, said on Wednesday. in the Defense Writers Group.
But Ms Smith said the US and the alliance had made it clear that NATO would not become part of the conflict, that the US would not send forces to Ukraine and that the administration would not support Ukraine with equipment to attack Russia.
“While the teams have evolved and changed over the last two months, I think the parameters have remained relatively clear and I don’t expect them to change,” he said.
In anticipation of the decision announced by President Biden on Tuesday, the Department of Defense moved the rocket systems it will provide to Ukraine from the United States to Europe. Ukrainian soldiers will still take about three weeks to learn how to operate and maintain the systems, a senior Pentagon official said.
Mr. Kahl deflected questions about whether even the condensed training course at an undisclosed location in Europe would take too long for rocket systems to play a significant role in the war.
“Ukrainians have repeatedly proved to be extraordinarily ingenious and quick learners,” he said.
John Ismay contributed to the report.