The Biden administration is reneging on a promise to provide Ukraine with Mi-17 helicopters. On Wednesday the administration made the decision, despite having told Congress just one day earlier that the United States would provide assistance to war torn Ukraine.
Biden publicly stated that after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he promised more military assistance is on the way, including the helicopters. President Biden issued the following statement:
“I just spoke with President Zelenskyy and shared with him that my Administration is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine,” Biden said.” The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself.”
However, a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News the helicopters will not be provided, despite Biden specifically saying, “These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters. In addition, we continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from our Allies and partners around the world.”
Russia has also reacted “harshly” to President Biden calling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “genocide.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday it is “unacceptable” for Biden to use that term.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday, “We are warning that U.S.-NATO weapons transports across Ukrainian territory will be considered by us as legal military targets,” Ryabkov told TASS. “We are making the Americans and other Westerners understand that attempts to slow down our special operation, to inflict maximum damage on Russian contingents and formations of the DPR and LPR (Donetsk and Luhansk People’s republics) will be harshly suppressed.”