President Biden said on Monday that his administration would not send long-range missile systems to Ukraine that could attack Russian territory, sending a contradictory message after the media reported that officials were preparing to send weapons with capabilities. long distance.
“We will not send rocket systems crashing into Russia in Ukraine,” Biden told reporters on South Lawn.
The statement conflicts with reports from CNN and The Washington Post that the administration was preparing to provide Ukraine with the Multiple Rocket Launcher (MLRS) system, a U.S.-made system that can fire rockets up to 300 kilometers, allowing Ukrainian forces to attack Russia. territories.
The U.S. package may only include smaller rockets that cannot strike beyond 50 miles.
Ukrainian officials have been calling for MLRS artillery for months, and Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), an influential member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, backed the request in a statement after meeting. with senior US military officials in Germany.
“The administrator must immediately provide Ukraine with the multiple rocket launch systems (MLRS) that Ukraine has requested. This defensive weapon will help Ukraine defend the eastern part of its country against Russia’s advances,” Portman tweeted. Sunday.
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“The administrator should not be deterred from providing such assistance for fear of provoking Russia. The MLRS can help balance the field in favor of Ukraine and should be approved and sent immediately,” he added.
Russian television presenter Olga Skabeeva warned on Friday that sending long-range rockets to Ukraine would cross what she called a red line.
“The US MLRS can launch shells longer than 500 kilometers. And if the Americans do, they will clearly cross a red line and we will record an attempt to provoke a very harsh response from Russia,” he warned.