U.S. senators appealed to U.S. President Joe Biden to immediately provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles. They see an additional delay in the provision of such weapons as a threat of prolonging the war.

Several representatives of the Republican Party issued a corresponding appeal. Among others, its text was posted by Arkansas Senator Bryant Thomas Cotton.

He and his colleagues Roger Wicker (from Mississippi), Susan Collins (from Maine), and Lindsey Graham (from South Carolina) insist that the transfer of a small part of the ATACMS that Washington has to Ukraine does not pose a risk to their country's combat capabilities.

Ukrainian officials have long stated that the Armed Forces need these missile systems. The Republicans' letter notes that the Senate Committee on Armed Services unanimously approved sending Ukraine the long-range missiles.

The senators mentioned the recent strike on the Sevastopol naval port using British long-range Storm Shadow weapons. According to them, it demonstrated the effectiveness of such weapons on the battlefield.

Therefore, the Republicans emphasized that providing ATACMS to Ukraine would maximize the likelihood of success in its current counteroffensive and future operations. In addition, the missiles could also enhance the Ukrainian Armed Forces' ability to destroy Russian defense formations.

"The Ukrainian military has achieved some breakthroughs in the Russian-occupied territory. However, there are reportedly only 30 days left before the end of the regular combat season. The United States must provide ATACMS immediately so that Ukraine can achieve vital goals before winter sets in and deny Russia the opportunity to strengthen its positions," the statement reads.

Its authors expressed their belief that the United States is quite capable of transferring such weapons without any noticeable risk to its own combat capability. After all, Ukraine has already significantly weakened Russia's military power, and it needs only a small portion of the US ATACMS stockpile. In addition, the United States can "produce hundreds of ATACMS and precision strike missiles per year," replenishing its stockpile fast.

An additional delay in providing Ukraine with such weapons, Republicans believe, will further expand and prolong the war.

"The Senate Committee on Armed Services unanimously approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2024 that calls on the Department of Defense to consider sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. Its delay will only cost more lives and prolong the conflict. We urge you to authorize the immediate transfer of ATACMS to Ukraine," the senators concluded.

According to media reports, the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States next week will not guarantee the receipt of long-range ATACMS missiles needed for the counteroffensive. The White House continues to debate whether the Ukrainian army should receive military assistance of this type of missile, but so far the result is likely to be negative.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken allowed the use of ATACMS missiles by the Ukrainian army outside of Ukraine, although Washington does not approve of this. At the same time, he noted that Ukrainians should be able to use such weapons effectively.

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