US Plans To Add HIMARS Artillery To Ukraine, Russian Diplomat: No Intention Of Peaceful Solution

Illustration of HIMARS United States of America. (Wikimedia Commons/US Army/Capt. Angelo Mejia/5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

JAKARTA - Russian diplomats called the United States' plan to increase the number of artillery pieces sent to Ukraine very concerning, saying Washington had no intention of seeking a peaceful solution.

That was said by the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, responding to a statement made by US Deputy Secretary of Defense, Colin Kahl.

Earlier, Colin Kahl mentioned the possibility of increasing the supply of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the US to Ukraine. This step is considered worrisome by Antonov and leads to escalation.

"The fact that a high-ranking Pentagon official saw the possibility of expanding the supply of long-range systems causes extreme concern", Antonov said.

"This statement can be seen as Washington's intention to move towards further escalation. It just confirms that America has no intention of seeing a peaceful solution", he continued.

"No wonder the official's statement was made ahead of another meeting of the US and its allies to discuss Ukraine's military support. Apparently, this is the government's way of making its comrades believe that there is no alternative but to supply the Kyiv regime with more weapons", Antonov added.

As previously reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops had sufficient ammunition and weapons. However, they expected more supply of long-range weapons.

"We have enough weapons. What we don't have are weapons that really reach the range, which we need to reduce the advantages of the Russian Federation equipment", he explained.

Two weeks ago, the United States Administration announced plans to deliver a new military aid package to Ukraine, which will include deliveries of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) weapons and ammunition.

It said the first batch would include four rocket systems. US officials previously said the strike range of the HIMARS wheeled light rocket launcher would not exceed 80 kilometers.

As Washington insists, Kyiv provides assurances that US rocket systems will not be used to strike targets on Russian soil.

It said the first batch would include four rocket systems. US officials previously said the strike range of the HIMARS wheeled light rocket launcher would not exceed 80 kilometers.

As Washington insists, Kyiv provides assurances that US rocket systems will not be used to strike targets on Russian soil.