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Some 57% believe the US is spending “too much” on foreign aid, a new survey has shown

Around a half of US voters believe their country is wasting taxpayer dollars on supporting foreign partners such as Israel and Ukraine, a Rasmussen Reports poll has suggested.

Some 57% of respondents said the US government is spending “too much” on foreign aid, according to a survey of 1,126 likely voters conducted on April 16-18.

President Joe Biden signed a new $95 billion funding package on Wednesday, under which Ukraine is slated to receive $48 billion in weapons and other assistance, while another $23 billion will be used to replenish the Pentagon’s depleted stocks.

Even before the latest aid cleared procedural hurdles, some 47% said it was “too much,” while around 20% wanted Washington to spend even more.

Read more Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

As for US aid to Israel, 49% of respondents said the $14 billion intended for the country under the new package was either “about right” or “not enough.”

A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted earlier this month also showed waning public support for arming Kiev. Just 53% of US adults believe the government should give military aid to Ukraine, down from 72% two years ago.

Support for Ukraine aid was highest (72%) among Americans who believe the US has a “responsibility to promote democracy” across the world. Among those who see no such obligation, only 28% believe Washington should give military aid to Ukraine.

Some 57% believe the US is spending “too much” on foreign aid, a new survey has shown

Around a half of US voters believe their country is wasting taxpayer dollars on supporting foreign partners such as Israel and Ukraine, a Rasmussen Reports poll has suggested.

Some 57% of respondents said the US government is spending “too much” on foreign aid, according to a survey of 1,126 likely voters conducted on April 16-18.

President Joe Biden signed a new $95 billion funding package on Wednesday, under which Ukraine is slated to receive $48 billion in weapons and other assistance, while another $23 billion will be used to replenish the Pentagon’s depleted stocks.

Even before the latest aid cleared procedural hurdles, some 47% said it was “too much,” while around 20% wanted Washington to spend even more.

Read more Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

As for US aid to Israel, 49% of respondents said the $14 billion intended for the country under the new package was either “about right” or “not enough.”

A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted earlier this month also showed waning public support for arming Kiev. Just 53% of US adults believe the government should give military aid to Ukraine, down from 72% two years ago.

Support for Ukraine aid was highest (72%) among Americans who believe the US has a “responsibility to promote democracy” across the world. Among those who see no such obligation, only 28% believe Washington should give military aid to Ukraine.

Some 57% believe the US is spending “too much” on foreign aid, a new survey has shown

Around a half of US voters believe their country is wasting taxpayer dollars on supporting foreign partners such as Israel and Ukraine, a Rasmussen Reports poll has suggested.

Some 57% of respondents said the US government is spending “too much” on foreign aid, according to a survey of 1,126 likely voters conducted on April 16-18.

President Joe Biden signed a new $95 billion funding package on Wednesday, under which Ukraine is slated to receive $48 billion in weapons and other assistance, while another $23 billion will be used to replenish the Pentagon’s depleted stocks.

Even before the latest aid cleared procedural hurdles, some 47% said it was “too much,” while around 20% wanted Washington to spend even more.

Read more Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

As for US aid to Israel, 49% of respondents said the $14 billion intended for the country under the new package was either “about right” or “not enough.”

A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted earlier this month also showed waning public support for arming Kiev. Just 53% of US adults believe the government should give military aid to Ukraine, down from 72% two years ago.

Support for Ukraine aid was highest (72%) among Americans who believe the US has a “responsibility to promote democracy” across the world. Among those who see no such obligation, only 28% believe Washington should give military aid to Ukraine.

Some 57% believe the US is spending “too much” on foreign aid, a new survey has shown

Around a half of US voters believe their country is wasting taxpayer dollars on supporting foreign partners such as Israel and Ukraine, a Rasmussen Reports poll has suggested.

Some 57% of respondents said the US government is spending “too much” on foreign aid, according to a survey of 1,126 likely voters conducted on April 16-18.

President Joe Biden signed a new $95 billion funding package on Wednesday, under which Ukraine is slated to receive $48 billion in weapons and other assistance, while another $23 billion will be used to replenish the Pentagon’s depleted stocks.

Even before the latest aid cleared procedural hurdles, some 47% said it was “too much,” while around 20% wanted Washington to spend even more.

Read more Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

As for US aid to Israel, 49% of respondents said the $14 billion intended for the country under the new package was either “about right” or “not enough.”

A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted earlier this month also showed waning public support for arming Kiev. Just 53% of US adults believe the government should give military aid to Ukraine, down from 72% two years ago.

Support for Ukraine aid was highest (72%) among Americans who believe the US has a “responsibility to promote democracy” across the world. Among those who see no such obligation, only 28% believe Washington should give military aid to Ukraine.

Kiev has stopped issuing documents to men of military age outside the country

About 300 Ukrainians have blocked their country’s consular office in Warsaw, demanding passports they have been denied under Kiev’s new mobilization rules.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can no longer receive documents at consular offices outside Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said earlier this week. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has confirmed he ordered the measure, intended to force refugees of fighting age to return and be conscripted into the military.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred Ukrainians locked down the ‘Document’ Passport Service Center in Warsaw, located at the Blue City shopping center.

Earlier in the day, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would be willing to “help” Kiev repatriate men of fighting age, an unspecified portion of some 950,000 Ukrainians granted temporary sanctuary in Poland.

Read more Ukraine to deny consular services to draft dodgers abroad

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the TV outlet Polsat News.

About 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in EU countries as of January 2024, according to Eurostat estimates. Of that number, some 860,000 were men of military age.

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Wednesday to add 15,000 members to the state border guard. After the expansion, the service will have 75,000 members, including 67,000 guards under arms.

Kiev has stopped issuing documents to men of military age outside the country

About 300 Ukrainians have blocked their country’s consular office in Warsaw, demanding passports they have been denied under Kiev’s new mobilization rules.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can no longer receive documents at consular offices outside Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said earlier this week. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has confirmed he ordered the measure, intended to force refugees of fighting age to return and be conscripted into the military.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred Ukrainians locked down the ‘Document’ Passport Service Center in Warsaw, located at the Blue City shopping center.

Earlier in the day, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would be willing to “help” Kiev repatriate men of fighting age, an unspecified portion of some 950,000 Ukrainians granted temporary sanctuary in Poland.

Read more Ukraine to deny consular services to draft dodgers abroad

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the TV outlet Polsat News.

About 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in EU countries as of January 2024, according to Eurostat estimates. Of that number, some 860,000 were men of military age.

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Wednesday to add 15,000 members to the state border guard. After the expansion, the service will have 75,000 members, including 67,000 guards under arms.

Kiev has stopped issuing documents to men of military age outside the country

About 300 Ukrainians have blocked their country’s consular office in Warsaw, demanding passports they have been denied under Kiev’s new mobilization rules.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can no longer receive documents at consular offices outside Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said earlier this week. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has confirmed he ordered the measure, intended to force refugees of fighting age to return and be conscripted into the military.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred Ukrainians locked down the ‘Document’ Passport Service Center in Warsaw, located at the Blue City shopping center.

Earlier in the day, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would be willing to “help” Kiev repatriate men of fighting age, an unspecified portion of some 950,000 Ukrainians granted temporary sanctuary in Poland.

Read more Ukraine to deny consular services to draft dodgers abroad

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the TV outlet Polsat News.

About 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in EU countries as of January 2024, according to Eurostat estimates. Of that number, some 860,000 were men of military age.

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Wednesday to add 15,000 members to the state border guard. After the expansion, the service will have 75,000 members, including 67,000 guards under arms.

Kiev has stopped issuing documents to men of military age outside the country

About 300 Ukrainians have blocked their country’s consular office in Warsaw, demanding passports they have been denied under Kiev’s new mobilization rules.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can no longer receive documents at consular offices outside Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said earlier this week. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has confirmed he ordered the measure, intended to force refugees of fighting age to return and be conscripted into the military.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred Ukrainians locked down the ‘Document’ Passport Service Center in Warsaw, located at the Blue City shopping center.

Earlier in the day, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would be willing to “help” Kiev repatriate men of fighting age, an unspecified portion of some 950,000 Ukrainians granted temporary sanctuary in Poland.

Read more Ukraine to deny consular services to draft dodgers abroad

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the TV outlet Polsat News.

About 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in EU countries as of January 2024, according to Eurostat estimates. Of that number, some 860,000 were men of military age.

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Wednesday to add 15,000 members to the state border guard. After the expansion, the service will have 75,000 members, including 67,000 guards under arms.

Kiev has stopped issuing documents to men of military age outside the country

About 300 Ukrainians have blocked their country’s consular office in Warsaw, demanding passports they have been denied under Kiev’s new mobilization rules.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 can no longer receive documents at consular offices outside Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said earlier this week. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has confirmed he ordered the measure, intended to force refugees of fighting age to return and be conscripted into the military.

On Wednesday evening, several hundred Ukrainians locked down the ‘Document’ Passport Service Center in Warsaw, located at the Blue City shopping center.

Earlier in the day, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Warsaw would be willing to “help” Kiev repatriate men of fighting age, an unspecified portion of some 950,000 Ukrainians granted temporary sanctuary in Poland.

Read more Ukraine to deny consular services to draft dodgers abroad

“I think many Poles are outraged when they see young Ukrainian men in hotels and cafes, and they hear how much effort we have to make to help Ukraine,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told the TV outlet Polsat News.

About 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in EU countries as of January 2024, according to Eurostat estimates. Of that number, some 860,000 were men of military age.

The Ukrainian parliament voted on Wednesday to add 15,000 members to the state border guard. After the expansion, the service will have 75,000 members, including 67,000 guards under arms.

French president is reportedly considering former European Central Bank boss Mario Draghi as an alternative head of the Commission

French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to replace European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and is currently discussing options with other EU leaders, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Von der Leyen is now gearing up for elections in less than two months, seeking to secure another five-year term. Macron, who was one of the key figures behind elevating her into the top EU job, has been openly criticizing the President’s approach to running the EU Commission.

“The commission presidency is there to defend the general interest, so it must not be over-politicized. Which, it has to be said, was not at all the case with this outgoing commission,” Macron said in Brussels last month.

The French president has been in touch with other EU leaders over potential candidates to replace the incumbent to lead the commission, namely former Italian PM and European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with these discussions.

Sources in Brussels, including those with von der Leyen’s office, have commented that it remains unclear whether Macron had been genuinely seeking to oust her or was merely putting pressure on in order to extract concessions from her in the future.

Read more EU leadership must go – member state’s PM

Macron, alongside then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel, were the key figures in 2019 behind fielding von der Leyen, then German Defense Minister, for the EU Commission presidential elections.

Von der Leyen is still a clear favorite for the upcoming elections, given the fact that she is the main candidate for the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), which has the most seats at the European Parliament and is expected to further reinforce its positions during the polls in June. However, a candidate fielded by the EPP still requires backing from an absolute majority in parliament.

The position of the incumbent EU president has been damaged by multiple high-profile scandals, with the latest erupting earlier this month when she found herself in a storm of criticism over giving fellow German MEP Markus Pieper the lucrative job of “special adviser,” with a reported salary of €17,000 a month.

The appointment “has triggered questions about the transparency and impartiality of the nomination process” within the bloc, multiple senior officials, including the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner Thierry Breton, said jointly in a complaint to von der Leyen. The Commission, however, brushed off the allegations, stating it “has every confidence in the fact that the process took place in full compliance with procedures.”

French president is reportedly considering former European Central Bank boss Mario Draghi as an alternative head of the Commission

French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to replace European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and is currently discussing options with other EU leaders, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Von der Leyen is now gearing up for elections in less than two months, seeking to secure another five-year term. Macron, who was one of the key figures behind elevating her into the top EU job, has been openly criticizing the President’s approach to running the EU Commission.

“The commission presidency is there to defend the general interest, so it must not be over-politicized. Which, it has to be said, was not at all the case with this outgoing commission,” Macron said in Brussels last month.

The French president has been in touch with other EU leaders over potential candidates to replace the incumbent to lead the commission, namely former Italian PM and European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with these discussions.

Sources in Brussels, including those with von der Leyen’s office, have commented that it remains unclear whether Macron had been genuinely seeking to oust her or was merely putting pressure on in order to extract concessions from her in the future.

Read more EU leadership must go – member state’s PM

Macron, alongside then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel, were the key figures in 2019 behind fielding von der Leyen, then German Defense Minister, for the EU Commission presidential elections.

Von der Leyen is still a clear favorite for the upcoming elections, given the fact that she is the main candidate for the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), which has the most seats at the European Parliament and is expected to further reinforce its positions during the polls in June. However, a candidate fielded by the EPP still requires backing from an absolute majority in parliament.

The position of the incumbent EU president has been damaged by multiple high-profile scandals, with the latest erupting earlier this month when she found herself in a storm of criticism over giving fellow German MEP Markus Pieper the lucrative job of “special adviser,” with a reported salary of €17,000 a month.

The appointment “has triggered questions about the transparency and impartiality of the nomination process” within the bloc, multiple senior officials, including the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner Thierry Breton, said jointly in a complaint to von der Leyen. The Commission, however, brushed off the allegations, stating it “has every confidence in the fact that the process took place in full compliance with procedures.”

Brussels has objected to the “addictive” design of the ‘Lite’ version of the popular video platform

The European Commission has opened a case against ByteDance, alleging that its TikTok Lite application might be dangerous to children and was launched without submitting the proper paperwork.

TikTok Lite was first launched in 2019 in Asian test markets. The lighter version of the short video app made its debut in France and Spain last month. In a statement on Monday, the EC said ByteDance did so without complying with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

“We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes ‘light’,” said Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who is in charge of enforcing the DSA.

According to the Commission, ByteDance did not file a “risk assessment report,” required by DSA of Very Large Online Platforms before launching any new functionalities such as TikTok Lite. 

The bureaucrats in Brussels are particularly concerned about the application’s “Task and Reward Program,” which lets users accumulate points for watching videos, following creators, inviting friends and so on. 

Read more US sets clock ticking for TikTok

ByteDance has said that TikTok Lite – including the rewards program – is not available to minors in the first place, and that it will continue discussions with the Commission on resolving the dispute.

The company was given until Tuesday to submit the risk assessment report and until May 3 to come up with the other information requested by the EC. The bloc has threatened to fine the company up to 1% of its total annual income if it does not comply.

This is the second EC probe into TikTok. The first, launched in February, is investigating whether ByteDance breached the DSA in regard to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, “data access for researchers”, and “risk management of addictive design and harmful content.” 

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed into law the $95 billion foreign aid bill that included a proposal to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner within nine months. The company has said it would challenge the law in court as unconstitutional. 

Brussels has objected to the “addictive” design of the ‘Lite’ version of the popular video platform

The European Commission has opened a case against ByteDance, alleging that its TikTok Lite application might be dangerous to children and was launched without submitting the proper paperwork.

TikTok Lite was first launched in 2019 in Asian test markets. The lighter version of the short video app made its debut in France and Spain last month. In a statement on Monday, the EC said ByteDance did so without complying with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

“We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes ‘light’,” said Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who is in charge of enforcing the DSA.

According to the Commission, ByteDance did not file a “risk assessment report,” required by DSA of Very Large Online Platforms before launching any new functionalities such as TikTok Lite. 

The bureaucrats in Brussels are particularly concerned about the application’s “Task and Reward Program,” which lets users accumulate points for watching videos, following creators, inviting friends and so on. 

Read more US sets clock ticking for TikTok

ByteDance has said that TikTok Lite – including the rewards program – is not available to minors in the first place, and that it will continue discussions with the Commission on resolving the dispute.

The company was given until Tuesday to submit the risk assessment report and until May 3 to come up with the other information requested by the EC. The bloc has threatened to fine the company up to 1% of its total annual income if it does not comply.

This is the second EC probe into TikTok. The first, launched in February, is investigating whether ByteDance breached the DSA in regard to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, “data access for researchers”, and “risk management of addictive design and harmful content.” 

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed into law the $95 billion foreign aid bill that included a proposal to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner within nine months. The company has said it would challenge the law in court as unconstitutional. 

Brussels has objected to the “addictive” design of the ‘Lite’ version of the popular video platform

The European Commission has opened a case against ByteDance, alleging that its TikTok Lite application might be dangerous to children and was launched without submitting the proper paperwork.

TikTok Lite was first launched in 2019 in Asian test markets. The lighter version of the short video app made its debut in France and Spain last month. In a statement on Monday, the EC said ByteDance did so without complying with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

“We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes ‘light’,” said Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who is in charge of enforcing the DSA.

According to the Commission, ByteDance did not file a “risk assessment report,” required by DSA of Very Large Online Platforms before launching any new functionalities such as TikTok Lite. 

The bureaucrats in Brussels are particularly concerned about the application’s “Task and Reward Program,” which lets users accumulate points for watching videos, following creators, inviting friends and so on. 

Read more US sets clock ticking for TikTok

ByteDance has said that TikTok Lite – including the rewards program – is not available to minors in the first place, and that it will continue discussions with the Commission on resolving the dispute.

The company was given until Tuesday to submit the risk assessment report and until May 3 to come up with the other information requested by the EC. The bloc has threatened to fine the company up to 1% of its total annual income if it does not comply.

This is the second EC probe into TikTok. The first, launched in February, is investigating whether ByteDance breached the DSA in regard to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, “data access for researchers”, and “risk management of addictive design and harmful content.” 

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed into law the $95 billion foreign aid bill that included a proposal to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner within nine months. The company has said it would challenge the law in court as unconstitutional. 

Brussels has objected to the “addictive” design of the ‘Lite’ version of the popular video platform

The European Commission has opened a case against ByteDance, alleging that its TikTok Lite application might be dangerous to children and was launched without submitting the proper paperwork.

TikTok Lite was first launched in 2019 in Asian test markets. The lighter version of the short video app made its debut in France and Spain last month. In a statement on Monday, the EC said ByteDance did so without complying with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

“We suspect TikTok ‘Lite’ could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes ‘light’,” said Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who is in charge of enforcing the DSA.

According to the Commission, ByteDance did not file a “risk assessment report,” required by DSA of Very Large Online Platforms before launching any new functionalities such as TikTok Lite. 

The bureaucrats in Brussels are particularly concerned about the application’s “Task and Reward Program,” which lets users accumulate points for watching videos, following creators, inviting friends and so on. 

Read more US sets clock ticking for TikTok

ByteDance has said that TikTok Lite – including the rewards program – is not available to minors in the first place, and that it will continue discussions with the Commission on resolving the dispute.

The company was given until Tuesday to submit the risk assessment report and until May 3 to come up with the other information requested by the EC. The bloc has threatened to fine the company up to 1% of its total annual income if it does not comply.

This is the second EC probe into TikTok. The first, launched in February, is investigating whether ByteDance breached the DSA in regard to the protection of minors, advertising transparency, “data access for researchers”, and “risk management of addictive design and harmful content.” 

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed into law the $95 billion foreign aid bill that included a proposal to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner within nine months. The company has said it would challenge the law in court as unconstitutional. 

President Biden personally approved the delivery, an anonymous official has said

Washington secretly sent Kiev an unspecified number of longer-range ATACMS missiles last month, multiple US outlets reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous US government official.

The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range up to 300 kilometers, were included in the $300-million package of military aid approved by President Joe Biden on March 12, according to the official, who spoke with Reuters, Politico and the New York Times, among others.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said that Ukraine used the missiles for the first time last Wednesday, targeting a Russian airfield about 165 kilometers (103 miles) from the front line. 

On the morning of April 17, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said his forces had attacked the airbase in Dzhankoy, Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on that claim.

Zelensky has long clamored for longer-range missiles. According to the anonymous official cited in Reuters’ report, the Pentagon was initially opposed, but changed its mind after Russia used ballistic missiles allegedly supplied by North Korea and began targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 

“We warned Russia about those things,” the official said. “They renewed their targeting.”

Read more Pentagon’s ‘new’ Ukraine aid package was spent months ago – Politico

Biden was advised to send the longer-range missiles by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q Brown, the official said.

The ATACMS were acquired from Lockheed Martin, rather than from the Pentagon stockpiles, and paid for by the “savings” discovered in March, when several military contracts were reportedly delivered for less than the original bid value. 

According to the official, Biden instructed his aides to include the ATACMS in the package but to keep it secret, so as to preserve Ukraine’s “operational security and the element of surprise.”

Ukraine first received mid-range ATACMS last September. The Russian military quickly began shooting them down, however, thwarting Zelensky’s plan to damage or destroy the Crimean Bridge.

“This is yet another mistake on the part of the United States,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last October, explaining that, had Washington refrained from sending the missiles, it could have later positioned itself as the “good guy” for its attempts to prevent needless casualties.

With Russia upgrading its air defenses to intercept the ATACMS, their arrival will not have a major impact on combat operations, and will only “prolong the agony” of Ukraine, Putin explained. “That’s why it’s a mistake.”

President Biden personally approved the delivery, an anonymous official has said

Washington secretly sent Kiev an unspecified number of longer-range ATACMS missiles last month, multiple US outlets reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous US government official.

The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range up to 300 kilometers, were included in the $300-million package of military aid approved by President Joe Biden on March 12, according to the official, who spoke with Reuters, Politico and the New York Times, among others.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said that Ukraine used the missiles for the first time last Wednesday, targeting a Russian airfield about 165 kilometers (103 miles) from the front line. 

On the morning of April 17, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said his forces had attacked the airbase in Dzhankoy, Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on that claim.

Zelensky has long clamored for longer-range missiles. According to the anonymous official cited in Reuters’ report, the Pentagon was initially opposed, but changed its mind after Russia used ballistic missiles allegedly supplied by North Korea and began targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 

“We warned Russia about those things,” the official said. “They renewed their targeting.”

Read more Pentagon’s ‘new’ Ukraine aid package was spent months ago – Politico

Biden was advised to send the longer-range missiles by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q Brown, the official said.

The ATACMS were acquired from Lockheed Martin, rather than from the Pentagon stockpiles, and paid for by the “savings” discovered in March, when several military contracts were reportedly delivered for less than the original bid value. 

According to the official, Biden instructed his aides to include the ATACMS in the package but to keep it secret, so as to preserve Ukraine’s “operational security and the element of surprise.”

Ukraine first received mid-range ATACMS last September. The Russian military quickly began shooting them down, however, thwarting Zelensky’s plan to damage or destroy the Crimean Bridge.

“This is yet another mistake on the part of the United States,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last October, explaining that, had Washington refrained from sending the missiles, it could have later positioned itself as the “good guy” for its attempts to prevent needless casualties.

With Russia upgrading its air defenses to intercept the ATACMS, their arrival will not have a major impact on combat operations, and will only “prolong the agony” of Ukraine, Putin explained. “That’s why it’s a mistake.”

Washington is sacrificing lives of Ukrainians ‘for the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry,’ Moscow’s ambassador has said

The US government has made its choice in favor of war, siding with evil and supporting fascism, the Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said. He was referring to the latest American military aid package for Ukraine, signed by President Biden, which grants Kiev a fresh $61 billion war chest.

Biden said the US would start sending weapons and military equipment to Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

Following the announcement Ambassador Antonov told reporters that Washington is balancing on the brink of a direct clash between nuclear powers. The development has struck a severe blow to prospects for a hypothetical revival of Russian-American relations in the future, the ambassador stated.

“For the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry, the [Biden] administration sacrifices the lives of ordinary people. With their decision, local politicians actually put an end to the fate of the entire state [of Ukraine], which is used as a ‘battering ram’ against Russia,” he stated.

The high-ranking Russian diplomat accused the US administration of violating the UN Charter’s obligation to maintain ‘primary responsibility for international peace and security.’

“American aid will not save [Ukrainian President] Zelensky” he stressed, adding that any new weapons being sent by Washington to Kiev would be destroyed, and that the tasks and goals of Moscow’s military operation will be realized.

READ MORE: Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Washington’s lethal aid will not change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine’s favor. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the US government has effectively been funneling billions of dollars into its own defense industry through the aid scheme.

Washington is sacrificing lives of Ukrainians ‘for the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry,’ Moscow’s ambassador has said

The US government has made its choice in favor of war, siding with evil and supporting fascism, the Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said. He was referring to the latest American military aid package for Ukraine, signed by President Biden, which grants Kiev a fresh $61 billion war chest.

Biden said the US would start sending weapons and military equipment to Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

Following the announcement Ambassador Antonov told reporters that Washington is balancing on the brink of a direct clash between nuclear powers. The development has struck a severe blow to prospects for a hypothetical revival of Russian-American relations in the future, the ambassador stated.

“For the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry, the [Biden] administration sacrifices the lives of ordinary people. With their decision, local politicians actually put an end to the fate of the entire state [of Ukraine], which is used as a ‘battering ram’ against Russia,” he stated.

The high-ranking Russian diplomat accused the US administration of violating the UN Charter’s obligation to maintain ‘primary responsibility for international peace and security.’

“American aid will not save [Ukrainian President] Zelensky” he stressed, adding that any new weapons being sent by Washington to Kiev would be destroyed, and that the tasks and goals of Moscow’s military operation will be realized.

READ MORE: Biden signs $95bn foreign military spending bill

The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Washington’s lethal aid will not change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine’s favor. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the US government has effectively been funneling billions of dollars into its own defense industry through the aid scheme.

Washington is sacrificing lives of Ukrainians ‘for the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry,’ Moscow’s ambassador has said

The US government has made its choice in favor of war, siding with evil and supporting fascism, the Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said. He was referring to the latest American military aid package for Ukraine, signed by President Biden, which grants Kiev a fresh $61 billion war chest.

Biden said the US would start sending weapons and military equipment to Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

Following the announcement Ambassador Antonov told reporters that Washington is balancing on the brink of a direct clash between nuclear powers. The development has struck a severe blow to prospects for a hypothetical revival of Russian-American relations in the future, the ambassador stated.

“For the sake of its greedy and insatiable defense industry, the [Biden] administration sacrifices the lives of ordinary people. With their decision, local politicians actually put an end to the fate of the entire state [of Ukraine], which is used as a ‘battering ram’ against Russia,” he stated.

The high-ranking Russian diplomat accused the US administration of violating the UN Charter’s obligation to maintain ‘primary responsibility for international peace and security.’

“American aid will not save [Ukrainian President] Zelensky” he stressed, adding that any new weapons being sent by Washington to Kiev would be destroyed, and that the tasks and goals of Moscow’s military operation will be realized.

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The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Washington’s lethal aid will not change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine’s favor. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the US government has effectively been funneling billions of dollars into its own defense industry through the aid scheme.