Nick Schifrin:
I have been asking Ukrainian officials to respond to this since last night, and they have all declined.
But they have made clear over time that they especially need air defense missiles. Patriots alongside other air defense are used to defend key Ukrainian sites, as well as its population and cities, from what is daily attacked by Russia. In fact, Ukraine says Russia launched more than 5, 400 drone attacks in June. A new U.N. report says there’s been a 37 percent rise in civilian deaths and injuries over the last six months.
The cuts will also affect Ukraine’s military’s ability to go on offense. You see there are those GMLRS fired by Ukraine to target concentrations of Russian troops and key targets inside of Russia because they can fly 40 miles.
Take a listen to Major General David Baldwin. He was recently the former adjutant general of the California National Guard, which has been training Ukrainian troops since before the full-scale invasion by Russia. And he continues to go to Ukraine to assist Ukrainian defense firms.
Maj. Gen. David Baldwin (Ret.), U.S. National Guard: The United States not sending those particular weapons systems will have a tactical effect on the battlefield.
But, really, the effect is more on the will and morale of the Ukrainian people. If you want to negotiate a peace settlement, it’s always better to negotiate from a position of strength. And that position of strength comes by continuing for the United States and our Western allies to supply arms, aid and material to the Ukrainians so they can continue to fight this illegal aggression.
