CNN reports that the change is being worked on within the president’s office, but that the president has not yet given final approval on the project. One official told CNN that no decision has been made and that “any discussion on this subject is premature.”
A question arises from this reorientation: will the American military be sent to the field? To this, an official says: “The president is absolutely convinced that he will not send American troops to Ukraine.” A speech that Joe Biden has supported since the start of the invasion, reiterated after Emmanuel Macron’s declarations on the potential sending of troops to Ukraine.
Concretely, once the policy change has been validated, it will allow the Pentagon to enter into contracts with American companies to operate in Ukraine in the maintenance and repair of American military equipment used by the Ukrainian army. A first since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Officials say this change should take effect this year.
Time saving
Currently, repairing U.S. military equipment in Ukraine is a slow and cumbersome process, with damaged equipment being transported outside Ukraine, to places like Poland, Romania, and other NATO countries for repair. U.S. troops also assist Ukrainians remotely via videoconference or encrypted phone calls to guide them through routine maintenance and logistics of the equipment. The maintenance is expected to include Ukraine’s much-needed F-16 fighter jets. That equipment will need regular servicing, CNN said.
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Targeted work
The pattern of the presence of American army subcontractors in Iraq and Afghanistan will not be repeated in this scenario, indicate American officials familiar with the matter. “It would be a much more focused and thoughtful effort to support Ukraine in the country,” said Alexander Vindman, a former army officer and former director of European affairs at Ukraine’s National Security Council. Donald Trump. A few dozen to a few hundred contractors will work in Ukraine at the same time.
