US Military Compiles List of Weapon Systems Needed to Support Ukraine's Defense

The top US military commander in Europe, General Chris Cavoli, has compiled a list of American weapon systems that could enhance Ukraine's defense against Russia, which the Biden administration has yet to provide.

Sources familiar with a classified report submitted to Congress last month indicate that Cavoli's recommendations include the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Link 16 communication system, a secure network used by NATO to improve air and missile defense coordination.

According to CNN, despite Ukraine's repeated requests for these systems, the US has held back, likely due to concerns about advanced American technology potentially falling into Russian hands, especially regarding the Link 16 system.

Additionally, US officials have raised questions about the effectiveness of air-launched missiles like the JASSM without Ukraine first achieving air superiority.

Ukraine continues to advocate for more advanced weaponry from the US, along with efforts to remove restrictions on the use of American long-range missile systems.

During a recent meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a detailed list of high-priority targets in Russia he aims to strike using US-supplied ATACMS missiles, according to sources.

President Zelenskyy plans to present his victory plan to the leaders of allied countries at the 25th meeting of the contact group in the Ramstein format. This meeting will take place on October 12 at the US Air Force Base in Ramstein and will be held for the first time at the leaders' level.