In a surprising turn of events, the Biden administration has expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s strategy to combat Russia, despite a substantial military aid package.
What Happened: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to present his war-winning plan to President Joe Biden on Thursday. However, the Biden administration is reportedly unimpressed, deeming the strategy merely as a rehashed plea for more weapons and the removal of constraints on long-range missiles, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Despite Zelenskyy’s persistent promotion of the plan as a roadmap to defeat Russia, U.S. and European officials with knowledge of its general outline see no clear path to a Ukrainian victory, especially with Russian forces gradually making headway on the battlefield.
"I'm unimpressed, there's not much new there," one of the senior officials said.
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Amid these concerns, Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington coincides with mounting allegations from some Republicans about Ukrainian politicians meddling in US domestic politics. This has led to a crucial juncture in the war where the U.S. and Ukraine, who had hoped to be aligned in their approach, now find themselves at odds.
Why It Matters: This skepticism comes in the wake of a significant military aid package announced by President Biden for Ukraine. The $8 billion aid includes the first shipment of a precision-guided glide bomb, the Joint Standoff Weapon, which has a range of up to 81 miles (130 km). This missile will enable Ukraine to target Russian forces from safer distances, a top priority for the U.S. since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. However, Biden has made it clear that the US will not allow Ukraine to use American missiles to target deeper into Russia.
Earlier in June, advisors to former President Donald Trump proposed a plan to end the Ukraine-Russia war, involving a conditional cessation of U.S. military aid, dependent on Trump’s potential re-election. The plan also included a ceasefire based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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