Washington: America state Department Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have been approved to send US-made missiles and other weapons Ukraine, said three sources familiar with the decision, as the President Joe Biden Predicted that Russia would advance on Ukraine.
Under export control rules, countries must obtain approval from the State Department before transferring any weapons received from the United States to third parties.
One of the sources said the third-party transfer agreement would allow Estonia to transfer the Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, while Lithuania would be allowed to send the Stinger missiles.
A State Department spokesman confirmed that the US government had approved third-party transfers allowing Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK to provide Ukraine with US-made equipment from its inventory, but did not provide any details. Not given which weapons would be sent.
“The United States and its allies and allies stand together to accelerate security assistance to Ukraine. We remain in close contact with our Ukrainian partners and our nato Allied and constructively using all available security cooperation tools to help Ukraine counter increasing Russian aggression,” the spokesman said.
News about the approved arms transfer emerged late Wednesday after Biden told a news conference that Russia would pay dearly if it attacked Ukraine.
Russian officials have repeatedly denied plans to invade Ukraine, but Kremlin It has amassed some 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, a buildup the West says is preparing for war to prevent Ukraine from joining the NATO Western Security Alliance.
The situation has caused serious concern among US lawmakers including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and other NATO allies. A bipartisan group of US senators pledged solidarity and arms on a visit to Kiev this week.
There was no immediate comment from the State Department about the approval.
One of the sources said the approval reflects a growing sense of urgency about the crisis after some initial steps by the State Department.
A State Department spokesman said the Biden administration had in December approved $200 million in additional defensive security assistance to Ukraine as well as $60 billion in lethal and non-lethal equipment from existing US military stocks.
US officials were also identifying additional equipment that could be delivered from additional US military stock.
“As President Biden told President Putin, if Russia attacks Ukraine further, we will provide Ukrainians with additional defensive material,” the spokesman said. “We are committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs.”
Under export control rules, countries must obtain approval from the State Department before transferring any weapons received from the United States to third parties.
One of the sources said the third-party transfer agreement would allow Estonia to transfer the Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, while Lithuania would be allowed to send the Stinger missiles.
A State Department spokesman confirmed that the US government had approved third-party transfers allowing Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK to provide Ukraine with US-made equipment from its inventory, but did not provide any details. Not given which weapons would be sent.
“The United States and its allies and allies stand together to accelerate security assistance to Ukraine. We remain in close contact with our Ukrainian partners and our nato Allied and constructively using all available security cooperation tools to help Ukraine counter increasing Russian aggression,” the spokesman said.
News about the approved arms transfer emerged late Wednesday after Biden told a news conference that Russia would pay dearly if it attacked Ukraine.
Russian officials have repeatedly denied plans to invade Ukraine, but Kremlin It has amassed some 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, a buildup the West says is preparing for war to prevent Ukraine from joining the NATO Western Security Alliance.
The situation has caused serious concern among US lawmakers including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and other NATO allies. A bipartisan group of US senators pledged solidarity and arms on a visit to Kiev this week.
There was no immediate comment from the State Department about the approval.
One of the sources said the approval reflects a growing sense of urgency about the crisis after some initial steps by the State Department.
A State Department spokesman said the Biden administration had in December approved $200 million in additional defensive security assistance to Ukraine as well as $60 billion in lethal and non-lethal equipment from existing US military stocks.
US officials were also identifying additional equipment that could be delivered from additional US military stock.
“As President Biden told President Putin, if Russia attacks Ukraine further, we will provide Ukrainians with additional defensive material,” the spokesman said. “We are committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs.”
,