US to Give Ukraine More Rocket Launchers, Biden Tells Zelenskiy

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP)
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US to Give Ukraine More Rocket Launchers, Biden Tells Zelenskiy

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP)

US President Joe Biden promised a new $625-million security assistance package to Ukraine on Tuesday, prompting a warning from Moscow that such a move risked a direct military clash between Russia and the West.

The US package would include High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers used in Ukraine's successful counter-offensive where it has recently forced Russian troops into retreat.

In a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden underscored that Washington would never recognize Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory, the White House said in a statement.

Biden "pledged to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression for as long as it takes."

The aid package is the first since Russia's most recent declared annexation of Ukrainian territory and the second Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) since Ukraine's large battlefield gains in mid-September.

In a strongly worded response, Russia's envoy to the United States warned that Biden's offer fueled the danger of a direct military clash between Russia and the West.

On the Telegram messaging app, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov urged Washington to stop "provocative actions" that could lead to "serious consequences".

"We perceive this as an immediate threat to the strategic interests of our country," he said.

Russia's declared annexations last week followed what it called referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine. Western governments and Kyiv said the votes breached international law and were coercive and non-representative.

The State Department said in a release the package includes four HIMARS launchers and associated rockets, 32 Howitzers with 75,000 rounds of ammunition, 200 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and Claymore anti-personnel mines.

Made by Lockheed Martin Corp, the HIMARS launchers' accuracy and longer range have allowed Kyiv to reduce Russia's artillery advantage.

"Recent developments from Russia's sham referenda and attempted annexation to new revelations of brutality against civilians in Ukrainian territory formerly controlled by Russia only strengthens our resolve," the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Last week, the United States unveiled a $1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine, which included 18 HIMARS launcher systems, accompanying munitions, various types of counter drone systems and radar systems.

But last week's aid package was funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) meaning the government has to procure the weapons from industry, rather than pulling them from existing US weapons stocks.

The United States has now pledged 20 HIMARS launchers to Ukraine using PDA.

This announcement would mark more than $16.8 billion worth of US security assistance since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.



China Says US Is ‘Playing with Fire’ after Latest Military Aid for Taiwan

 A Taiwan Army's paratrooper performs with a national flag during a military exercise in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP)
A Taiwan Army's paratrooper performs with a national flag during a military exercise in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP)
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China Says US Is ‘Playing with Fire’ after Latest Military Aid for Taiwan

 A Taiwan Army's paratrooper performs with a national flag during a military exercise in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP)
A Taiwan Army's paratrooper performs with a national flag during a military exercise in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP)

The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.”

US President Joe Biden authorized Saturday the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the US to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

Taiwan is a democratic island of 23 million people that the Chinese government claims as its territory and says must come under its control. US military sales and assistance aim to help Taiwan defend itself and deter China from launching an attack.

The $571 million in military assistance comes on top of Biden's authorization of $567 million for the same purposes in late September. The military sales include $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a social media post on X that it reaffirmed the US government's “commitment to our defense.”