Western Military Officials Call Submission Of Sophisticated Weapons To Ukraine Being Considered For Rapid War

Patriot missile defense system (Wikimedia Commons/Lance Cpl.Alyssa Chuluda)

JAKARTA - The plan to send weapons to Ukraine that would guarantee Kyiv has a "determining advantage" over Russia, is being considered at the senior level in the United States, Western officials said.

There have been growing discussions about whether to arm Kyiv with sophisticated equipment to end the war quickly, to ensure European unity and end the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

It said the US plan to send Patriot air defense batteries was already very advanced. However, it is also recommended that NATO provide modern tanks, armored vehicles, and fighter jets to help fight Moscow.

"There are Americans in Congress and in governments who are interested in looking at the trajectory of the conflict, finding out what is needed to give Ukraine a decisive advantage without carrying out attacks on Russia," the officials said, launching The National News December 15.

Providing proper weapons without provoking wider conflict is a "complex question, but this is one that people start to see because the alternative is to let things go as they are and that is also not interesting," he continued.

The discussions also involved US officials talking to NATO's key allies, but the planning has not yet been concluded, the official said.

There are also hints of long-range weapons supply that will allow Ukraine to "prevent some of what Russia may do," officials said.

"All of these matters are being considered," the official added.

Considerations will be given on "any attack on Russian soil", which could trigger a broader war with NATO.

Asked by The National whether this would involve modern NATO tanks, fighter jets and armored vehicles that would become critical in a winter attack, officials replied that it was part of an ongoing "on-going conversation" with Ukraine.

"We haven't heard any fighter jets mentioned in a long time, but if the track continues like that, we think there will be talk of that," an official explained.

"Many rely on the nature of the Russian attack and where Ukraine is most eager to exert their efforts," he said.

It is known, there are concerns that in Washington and London, the unity shown by Europe can falter if the war drags on with a surge in energy prices and inflation that is detrimental to the economy.

Analysts argue, with more sophisticated equipment, Ukraine could faster expel Russia from their country.

"There are things that can be done to get Ukraine into a better position sooner than it will continue, as it is today, where things will take a very long time and be pulled out," the officials said.

They added that a sustainable conflict means people will lose "water, heating and electricity even longer."