Russia tightens grip in east, US to send precision rockets to Ukraine

Biden Assures Putin US Not Seeking Nato-Russia War, Nor Does It Want A Regime Change In Moscow

As Russian troops edged closer to seizing control of the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday, the US and Germany pledged more advanced weapons to Ukraine, underscoring Western resolve to hobble President Vladimir Putin's war effort. The US will send Ukraine advanced rocket systems and munitions as part of a new $700 million package of military equipment, President Biden and White House officials said on Tuesday. Biden announced his decision to provide the rocket systems, which can precisely target an enemy from almost 50 miles (80km) away, in an Op-Ed published online Tuesday evening by New York Times. He said the delivery of the advanced weapons would enable Ukraine to "fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table." But a senior administration official said later that the weapons system the most advanced provided to the Ukrainians to date was promised only after direct assurances by Ukraine's leaders that they would not use it against targets within Russian territory. Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany on Wednesday promised two potentially significant donations: an air-defence system and a tracking radar to help the Ukrainian army locate sources of Russian heavy artillery. Scholz did not immediately specify delivery timelines.