[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that there are no plans to provide Ukraine with long-range rocket systems. This remark is interpreted as an effort to ease the heightened military tensions with Russia following media reports that the U.S. and Ukrainian authorities were considering supplying Ukraine with long-range rocket systems capable of striking Russian territory.
According to CNN on the 30th (local time), during a press conference, President Biden was asked whether preparations were underway to support Ukraine with long-range rocket systems. He responded, "We will not send rocket systems to Ukraine that can strike Russia." However, he did not specify which particular rocket systems he was referring to.
Earlier, some U.S. media outlets reported that the U.S. and Ukrainian military authorities held confidential talks regarding the risks of escalation if Russian territory were struck, and that support for long-range rocket weapons with a range exceeding 300 km was under consideration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian government have continuously requested the U.S. to provide multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) with ranges of several hundred kilometers. In response, reports indicated that the U.S. government leaned toward supplying the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), another type of long-range weapon, instead of MLRS.
If such weapons were supplied, it would enable strikes on Russian territory from the northeastern front near the Russian border. Concerns have been raised that if Russian territory were actually damaged, it could lead to a direct confrontation between the U.S. and Russia. Analysts suggest that the U.S. government is moderating its stance to avoid escalation, as a direct military clash between the U.S. and Russia could increase fears of a third world war, including nuclear conflict.
Russia, which has opposed the possibility of U.S. support for Ukraine's long-range rockets, welcomed President Biden's remarks. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, stated at a press conference that "the decision by the U.S. not to send rockets to Ukraine capable of reaching Russia is 'reasonable.'"
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