Movement in talks with USA
Zelenskyy: Delivery of ATACMS missiles is approaching
September 11, 2023, 12:43 a.m
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Ukraine has long been demanding long-range missiles from Western allies. But both the USA and Germany are hesitant. However, there is now movement in the talks about the delivery of US guided missiles. According to President Zelensky, Kiev could receive them as early as autumn.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, there is movement in talks with the USA about the possible delivery of long-range ATACMS guided missiles to Kiev. Things are moving forward and he hopes that Ukraine will get the weapons system in the fall, Zelensky told the US broadcaster CNN in an interview.
It is very important militarily, also so that the counteroffensive does not stop, said Zelensky. He will speak to US President Joe Biden about it again. ATACMS are guided missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers from the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin that are fired from the ground against targets on the ground.
Kiev has been demanding the missiles for a long time, but the USA has been hesitant. Ukraine is requesting a similar weapon system from Germany, Taurus-type cruise missiles. It is suitable for destroying bunkers and protected command posts at a distance of up to 500 kilometers. Germany has also shown restraint so far.
Because of the long range of the weapon systems, there is concern that they could also be used to attack targets in Russia. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba assured in August that both systems would only be used within Ukrainian borders.
The new weapons would allow Ukraine to attack Russian positions far behind the front. Targets on the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia in violation of international law since 2014, would also come within reach.