The Hill reported on Friday, citing its own sources, that President Joe Biden faces growing pressure from within his own party to send fighter jets and longer-range missiles to Ukraine as Russia pursues its air attacks on Ukrainian territory that result in death and destruction. .
Earlier, members of Congress from both parties had already asked the White House to provide Ukraine with modern F-16 fighter jets and ATACMS long-range artillery rockets. The Biden administration has so far refused to do so, saying the United States cannot currently provide any ATACMS systems needed by European allies and that delivering fighters is not a priority.
But the White House’s decision in January 2023 to supply Ukraine with US M1 Abrams tanks, after months of opposition to the issue from the administration, has given supporters of the regime cause for optimism. supply of fighters from Ukraine. They believe that if the lobbying continues, the White House may accept the supply of heavier weapons.
They also believe that long-range fighters and missiles can play a key role in protecting the Ukrainian people and any offensive strikes against Russian positions. With that, according to The Hill, some US military leaders agree.
Which of the Democratic lawmakers is in favor of sending heavy weapons to Ukraine?
Member of the House of Representatives Jason Crow
Colorado Democrat Jason Crowe is one of the most active members of the House of Representatives calling for more aid to Ukraine. He is a military veteran who served in the war in Iraq. And last year, Crowe visited Ukraine and claims to know what he is talking about.
“It’s in our interest for Ukraine to win,” Crowe told the Hudson Institute think tank last week. “It’s in our own interest to make an effort and give them what they need.”
According to him, the Ukrainian armed forces have exceeded American expectations over the past year. Crowe believes that the Ukrainians are “responsible partners” when it comes to the most advanced American weapons.
“Ukraine is going through a critical moment in the war. F-16s provide longer range than ground systems and can help Ukraine achieve air superiority,” Crowe told The Hill. He added that the planes could “better protect civilians from indiscriminate Russian attacks”.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse
Like Crowe, Blumenthal (a Democratic senator from Connecticut) and Whitehouse (a Democratic senator from Rhode Island) also criticize the Biden administration’s low-key approach to heavy weapons transfers. In January, they joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) in sending a letter to Biden asking for more military aid to Ukraine.
“The combination of tanks, combat aircraft and ATACMS will help Ukraine counter the upcoming Russian offensive and go on the offensive in the east and south with the aim of further undermining Russia’s capability to keep fighting in Ukraine,” they said. “Let’s give the Ukrainians everything they need to win – now.”
“Our task is to provide Ukrainians with everything necessary for Russian troops to leave their territory,” Whitehouse told The Hill. “Longer-range fighters and missiles will help Ukraine achieve victory, and it has established itself as a responsible user of Western weapons.”
Member of the House of Representatives Jared Golden
In February, Maine Democratic Congressman Jared Golden led a bipartisan group of more than a dozen members of the House of Representatives that called on the Biden administration to hand over F-16 jets to Ukraine. . They sent an official letter to the White House.
“The F-16 or similar fourth-generation fighters will provide Ukraine with a highly mobile platform from which to attack Russian air-to-air missiles and drones; protect Ukrainian ground forces when engaging Russian forces; and also to fight with Russian fighters. for disputed air superiority,” said the members of Congress who signed the letter. “American leadership on this issue is essential.”
Democratic Party House of Representatives Chrissy Holahan (Pennsylvania), Marcy Kaptur (Ohio), Susan Wild (Pennsylvania), Brad Schneider (Illinois), Abigail Spanberger (Virginia), Jim Costa (California), Jimmy Panetta (California) , Eliza Slotkin (Michigan) and Lloyd Doggett (Texas). Five Republicans also signed.
Senator Mark Kelly
Arizona Democratic Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly sent a similar letter from a group of senators to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in March. He urged Austin to provide senators with more information about what would be needed to deliver F-16s to Ukraine.
“Following a conversation at the Munich Security Conference with American, Ukrainian and foreign leaders working on behalf of Ukraine, we believe that the United States must carefully consider supplying Ukraine with F-16 aircraft. “, wrote the senators. “It will be a significant and potentially game-changing opportunity on the battlefield.”
The letter was signed by Democratic Senators Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Martin Heinrich (New Mexico) and Jackie Rosen (Nevada), along with three Republicans.
The Biden administration has previously said training fighter pilots would be too difficult. The Ukrainian army is trying to dispel this concern. According to The Hill, the Ukrainian military told the Pentagon that it had shortlisted 50 experienced English-speaking pilots who could be trained on F-16 fighter jets in just three months.
Read the Ukraine War News Latest Today on The Eastern Herald.
