President Joe Biden has allowed U.S. defense companies to work in Ukraine to maintain and repair weapons provided by the Pentagon, U.S. officials told Reuters, cited by Ukraine's UNIAN news agency. It noted that this was a significant shift in policy aimed at helping Kiev fight Russia.
A U.S. official, who requested anonymity, said the contractors would be few and far between from the front lines and would not be involved in combat operations. They will help ensure that U.S.-provided equipment "can be quickly repaired if damaged and maintained," the official said.
Restrictions in the past have sometimes delayed repairs and become more complicated as the U.S. supplied Kiev with more sophisticated systems such as F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, officials said. CNN adds that weapon systems to be supported by U.S. contractors include F-16 fighter jets and Patriots. | BGNES
