US says coming next three to six weeks ‘crucial’ for Ukraine to retake seized territories

Chairman of US House Armed Services Committee am Smith, who recently h a visit to Ukraine, said next few weeks are crucial for war-torn nation to take seized territories from Russian aggressor. Speaking to Politico, Smith ted Ukraine desperately needs long-range weapons such as tactical missiles and strike drones to change waves of warfare. According to him, battle would be tough for Ukraine if it extends till winter and ded it would provide an edge to Russian soldiers. Explaining his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, he said, "Help m w as much as possible. next three to six weeks are crucial."

Furr, he said Ukraine wants to reach peace deal which has been stuck in limbo for more than three months but ded it also wants all its seized territories back-- a demand that PresidentZelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba reiterated on several occasions, including recently concluded G7 summit. He said it is necessary to negotiate with Russia's President Vlimir Putin as thousands of civilians were killed since brutal war started in February this year. He believes Ukrainian army needs HIMARS missile system in order to deter Russian aggression. 

" HIMARS systems with ir range of 30 to 50 kilometres are really helpful. We’ve seen impact alrey just in last month. But if y h a longer range, it’d be tougher for Russians to hide ir stuff," Smith told RFE/RL during his visit to Ukrainian national capital on Saturday. tably, as of w, Biden ministration has supplied at least 12 HIMRAS to Kyiv--- nearly 38 less than what Kyiv has demanded since onset of war. Last week, Pentagon anunced it would send at least four such missile systems to Ukraine.

US anunces ditional $270 million in security aid to Ukraine

Besides, on Friday, White House anunced an ditional $270 million in security assistance to Ukraine, a pack that will include ditional medium-range rocket systems and tactical drones. In newly sanctioned military aid, US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby said Biden ministration will send High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine. 

He furr stated that  fresh military aid includes some 36,000 rounds of artillery ammunition and ditional ammunition for HIMARS. " president has been clear that we’re going to continue to support government of Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes," Kirby said. However, he clarified that ministration will t send long-range weapons which have potential to enter Russian territory-- thus rejecting desperate demand of Ukrainian army. He said that sanctioning of long-range weapons means instigating a broer war with Moscow.  

Im: President of Ukraine