Biden considers game-changing missiles for Ukraine's F‑16 fleet

Joe Biden is "open" to providing Ukraine with long-range JASSM cruise missiles, reports Politico. Providing this type of weapon would significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the F-16 fighters at Ukraine's disposal.

According to the news portal, which cites an administration representative, although a final decision on the transfer of JASSM has yet to be made, it is already technically and formally prepared, including the adaptation of Ukrainian fighters to this type of ammunition. The Pentagon and the White House have neither officially confirmed nor denied the portal's reports.

JASSM is a relatively new air-to-ground cruise missile with a range of up to 370 kilometres and a 450-kilogram warhead. The Ukrainian arsenal could play a similar role to the Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles already provided by the United Kingdom and France, being used for strikes deep behind enemy lines.

On Thursday at 12:00 PM ET, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced that another package of weapons for Ukraine would be revealed soon, but he did not provide any details.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and his Republican colleague Lindsey Graham visited Kyiv this week, and they announced they would propose a new package of support measures for Ukraine and aim to pass it by the end of the year. The last package, amounting to $60 billion, was adopted in April, and the funds were supposed to last a year.

Politicians also want to codify the provisions of the bilateral US-Ukraine security agreement to prevent future administrations from abandoning it.