Speaker Johnson wants to compel Biden to provide ATACMS to Ukraine

Photo: Ukraine may receive ATACMS with a range of 300 kilometers from the US (Getty Images)

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson proposes that Congress compel President Joe Biden to provide ATACMS to Ukraine. However, the transfer may be delayed, according to the corresponding bill.

The document proposes that President Biden should be obliged to transfer long-range ATACMS to Ukraine “as soon as practicable”. This will help Ukraine defend itself and achieve victory against Russia. However, as the bill specifies, if the President determines that the transfer would be detrimental to the national security interests of the United States, the President may withhold such transfer. In this case, Biden will be obliged to notify the congressional defense committees, the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of such determination.

ATACMS for Ukraine

Last year, Ukraine requested the transfer of long-range ATACMS missiles from the United States, which are capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 300 kilometers. Ukrainian soldiers can launch them using HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems.

Last October, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a missile attack on airfields in Berdiansk and Luhansk. Russians said that ATACMS missiles were used. Later, the White House confirmed the transfer of such weapons to Ukraine, but with a range of up to 165 kilometers.

However, American media reported that such missiles were transferred in small quantities.

After this, the question of transferring ATACMS at a range of 300 kilometers remained relevant. Top US General Charles Brown recently stated that possible transfer is not as risky as it was before.

For more details on ATACMS, read the RBC-Ukraine material.