Biden approves sending advanced rockets to Ukraine

President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the United States is sending "more advanced rocket systems and munitions" as part of a $700 million package of military equipment intended to help the Ukrainians fight back against the Russian invasion of their country.

However, Biden claimed that the move would not be enabling the Ukrainians to hit targets outside their own borders.

In an op-ed for the New York Times on Tuesday Biden wrote, "We have moved quickly to send Ukraine a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition so it can fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table."

"That’s why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine."

This is the 11th weapons package approved during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It will include Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, helicopters, tactical vehicles and other advanced weapons.

However, Biden previously stated that he would not send "rocket systems that can strike into Russia." He wrote in the op-ed, "We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders. We do not want to prolong the war just to inflict pain on Russia."

Ukrainian officials have been asking for more advanced rocket systems, such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), known as HIMARS (High Mobility Rockets System). These systems have a range of 83 to 185 miles which means they can strike at targets in Russia. This despite Biden telling reporters on Monday "we’re not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia."