There is no decision on ATACMS or cluster munitions for Ukraine yet – Top US general

Friday, 30 June 2023, 22:14

General Mark Milley, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained that the issue of providing Ukraine with weapons such as ATACMS long-range missile systems is decided by the President, and so far he has not made such a decision.

Source: European Pravda, citing Milley speech on Friday during a discussion at the National Press Club.

Commenting on the issue of changing the position of the Joe Biden administration regarding the provision of ATACMS or F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the general explained that "there’s a decision making process ongoing."

"It’s a never-ending [review] process. We on the Joint Staff, the [security] services with our Ukrainian counterparts, with our allies in Europe [are discussing this together]; Secretary Austin and I go to Europe once a month where we do this Ukrainian Contact Group...  So it’s an ongoing decision-making process. And, I think the president has publicly said that these things are on the table – [but] there’s no decision at this point," Milley added.

Separately, the top US general focused on the issue of providing Ukraine with cluster munitions, or dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM)

"We have been thinking about DPICM for a long time, the Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, the Russians are using it… I don’t know of a decision yet," he said.

Earlier, the media reported that the United States is inclined to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, and they can announce this in early July.

In addition, according to media reports, the United States is also closer to making a decision on granting Ukraine ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems.

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