Biden’s gone silent on Ukraine support, ranking member of Armed Services Committee warns

President Biden has remained silent on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request from Western partners for permission to use long-range missiles to attack targets deep in Russia, the Senate Armed Services Committee says. The executive revealed.

Sen. Roger Wicker, the ranking Republican member of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, told Fox that he is concerned that President Biden will not make any decisions on Zelensky's top demands, and that the administration remains silent. He said that

Wicker noted that after Biden's recent trip to Berlin, where he was supposed to appeal for more aid to Ukraine, the president made no major announcements.

Zelensky Victory Plan: Replace US troops in European outposts with battle-hardened Ukrainians

The Mississippi senator sent a letter to Biden with 10 recommendations to put Ukraine in the best position for his successor.

Putin warns NATO risks war with Russia if ban on long-range attacks on Ukraine is lifted

“I am frustrated and perplexed by how little your administration has accomplished over the past three months regarding the war in Ukraine,” Wicker wrote in a letter to Biden. It seems like he intends to give it.” “Nonetheless, I contend that the focused efforts you will lead could make a big difference in your final 90 days as president.”

Please read the letter – App users please click here:

Wickers 10 recommendations:

• Increase the pace of arms transfers to Ukraine: The senator proposed that the United States immediately provide the remaining $5.5 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) to the Ukrainian ally.
• allow for more flexible restrictions on U.S.-provided munitions;: Mr. Wicker argued that Mr. Biden should immediately revise policies that limit the use of U.S.-provided weapons, including ballistic missiles, to attack military targets inside Russia. He said the United States should change its policy to limit the type of targets rather than distance from the border.
• Increases the U.S. government's admission cap for non-military personnel: Mr. Wicker suggested that Mr. Biden direct Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to increase the number of government employees allowed into Ukraine. He said current staff are overwhelmed and unable to provide more than day-to-day management.
• Establishing a regulated presence of U.S. military contractors in Ukraine: The senator said the administration should allow a limited number of U.S. military contractors to support operations in the country. He said the presence of U.S. military contractors would also help guide Ukrainian soldiers to become more self-sufficient and increase their ability to maintain U.S. equipment.
• Expand training of the Ukrainian Army: The United States should take full advantage of available training capabilities in the European Command (EUCOM) area of ​​responsibility, Wicker said. He said the expansion would allow Ukraine to train more troops.

On August 26, 2024, a woman looks at a crater in the wake of an air raid in the Odessa region during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Olexandr Gimanov/AFP via Getty Images)

• Deliver more shareable commercially derived intelligence. The administration should use processes already in place to increase the availability of unclassified information to Ukraine, Wicker wrote.
• Significantly expands the Department of Defense's industrial infrastructure policy workforce. The senators suggested that Biden should direct the defense secretary to redeploy at least 100 Defense Department civil servants to the Office of Basic Policy Staff and ask Congress for new hiring authorities and additional funding. .
• Quickly accelerate contract schedules. Wicker said Biden should formally direct the secretary of defense and the service acquisition executive to require all contract employees to take advantage of contract flexibilities established by the Department of Defense.

Ukraine's defense minister is confident that it can replenish its forces, but needs weapons and equipment from allies

• We hold a high-level defense industrial infrastructure conference every month. Wicker said Biden should direct his secretaries of state, defense, and commerce to hold monthly high-level defense industrial infrastructure meetings with Ukraine, key NATO allies, and defense industry stakeholders. .
• Deploy more Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Weapons (DPICMs): Wicker said the U.S. inventory contains hundreds of thousands of operational 155mm DPICM rounds, and Biden should send $250 million of them to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Kiev has given the US permission to use long-range missiles supplied by the West to attack air bases deep in Russia, where aircraft are flying missions to target Ukrainian towns and cities with “gliding bombs.” I am pleading with you.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In an overnight speech after Biden's visit to Berlin, Zelenskiy thanked the United States for its continued support.

“I spoke with President Biden last night. A number of issues were raised. We are grateful for the new aid package. It's $425 million. This is air defense, and it's a special priority of ours.” said. “We also discussed future policy. President Biden gave me word that that policy will be implemented in the near future. We also discussed long-range weapons.”