【By Guan察者网, Ruan Jiaqi】

On October 1st local time, the Wall Street Journal cited U.S. officials saying that Trump has approved intelligence agencies and the Pentagon to provide intelligence, including target location data, to Ukraine to support its long-range missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Moreover, the Trump administration is also considering providing Ukraine with more powerful weapons, which can cover more targets within Russia. The consideration includes "Tomahawk" missiles, "Harpoon" missiles, and other U.S.-made ground-to-air and air-to-air launch missiles with a range of approximately 500 miles (about 805 kilometers). However, officials emphasized that no final decision has been made on whether to deliver the weapons or what kind of weapons to deliver.

U.S. officials pointed out that this is the first time the Trump administration has assisted Ukraine in using long-range missiles to strike energy targets deep into Russian territory. This move means that the Ukrainian army may obtain more accurate target data in the future, thereby expanding the range of attacks on oil refineries, oil pipelines, power stations, and other infrastructure within Russia, in order to cut off Moscow's oil supply and revenue sources.

If the U.S. provided intelligence is combined with more powerful weapons, the resulting strike effect could far exceed previous attacks by Ukraine within Russia, not only causing greater damage to Russia's energy infrastructure but also tying down Russia's air defense capabilities.

A official revealed that U.S. officials are waiting for written guidance from the White House before sharing key intelligence needed for operations.

U.S. officials also mentioned that the United States is urging NATO allies to provide similar support to Ukraine. The report said that expanding intelligence sharing with Ukraine is seen as the latest signal of the Trump administration increasing support for Ukraine, amid the stagnation of peace negotiations.

In response, a spokesperson for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) stated that they cannot comment on ongoing or ongoing intelligence operations. A spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) refused to comment.

On September 23rd local time, in New York, USA, during the UN General Assembly, President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Visual China

According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. government has recently approved the sale of "Extended Range Attack Module" (ERAM) to Ukraine. It is an air-launched missile with a range between 150 to 280 miles (about 240 to 450 kilometers). The "Tomahawk" cruise missile, as one of the most accurate weapons of the United States, has a mainstream model range of up to 1,500 miles (about 2,414 kilometers).

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine revealed last week that he had asked Trump to sell "Tomahawk" missiles to European countries, which would then transfer the missiles to Ukraine for use. U.S. Vice President Vance said on Fox News that "we are indeed reviewing requests from multiple European countries."

The report pointed out that Trump had previously refused Ukraine's request to use long-range missiles and limited the scope of intelligence shared with Ukraine.

The Pentagon has also established an approval process: every time Ukraine uses the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), it must be reviewed by the U.S. Since the end of spring this year, this "veto power" has prevented Ukraine from using U.S. missiles to attack targets within Russia.

But now, Trump remains disappointed that he has not reached a peace agreement with Russian President Putin. U.S. officials said that just before the Trump administration approved the provision of additional intelligence, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Putin on social media last week and claimed that Ukraine is expected to reclaim all occupied territories.

The U.S. media added that there are signs that Trump may currently be adjusting his strategy. In recent days, he has repeatedly listened to briefings on the situation in the Ukraine battlefield and focused on the fact that Russia has not made territorial progress. His public statements have also criticized Russia's progress in the war.

The Washington Post earlier pointed out that providing "Tomahawk" cruise missiles to Ukraine would greatly enhance Ukraine's arsenal and its ability to strike targets in Moscow and other areas within Russia, which previous U.S. administrations did not allow. This move "will be a major military escalation," and providing "Tomahawk" cruise missiles to Ukraine "marks a sharp reversal in Trump's view of the battlefield situation in Ukraine."

European officials welcomed the U.S. shift. Germany has invested about $350 million to help Ukraine improve industrial capacity to enable it to conduct depth strikes.

Joachim Kaschke, who coordinates Germany's military aid to Ukraine, said that Ukraine needs assistance in three key areas in the fight against Russia: air defense capability, the ability to hold the front line, and the ability to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory.

He said that when the Ukrainian defense forces face an enemy with superior numbers, they must expand the combat area beyond the front line, "To hold the front line, you must cut off the enemy's supply lines. That is the military logic behind it."

Regarding the change in the U.S. stance, on Monday, Russian President's spokesperson Peskov responded that Russia has noticed the relevant statements and is carefully analyzing them, and Russian military experts are closely watching the U.S. statement.

He said, "There is still one issue that needs to be clarified: even if these missiles eventually fall into the hands of the Kiev regime, who has the right to fire them? Will they be fired by Ukrainians or by the U.S. military? Who will set the targets for these missiles? These need very in-depth analysis."

Peskov also said that for Ukraine, "there is no magic pill" that can change the frontline situation, whether it is "Tomahawk" or other missiles. He reiterated that the current suspension of the Ukraine-Russia talks is due to Ukraine's "reluctance to continue dialogue."

Peskov said that Putin's invitation to Trump is still valid, and Putin is ready to meet with Trump in Moscow, "It all depends on Trump's decision."

This article is an exclusive article of Observer, and without permission, it cannot be reprinted.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7556521312164921882/

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