Pentagon to meet largest US weapon makers over Ukraine: Reports

As part of its preparation for a long war against Russia, the Pentagon will conduct a conference with eight of the country’s major defence contractors.

The reported meeting on Wednesday comes as Russian troops regroup after withdrawing from near Kyiv and focusing on the country’s east.

Continuing security support to Ukraine and the long-term preparedness of US and ally/partner forces will be discussed, a defence official told the Financial Times.

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who jointly create the Javelin anti-tank missile system, are among those invited. Raytheon also makes the Stinger anti-aircraft missile. Officials claim both devices have proven useful for Ukrainian military since Russia invaded on February 24.

Reuters reported that President Joe Biden’s administration could announce an additional $750 million in military aid to Ukraine as early as Wednesday.

The White House announced this week that it has given Ukraine about $1.7 billion in security assistance since the invasion, including 5,000 Javelins and 1,400 Stingers.

The new aid equipment would be funded through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to transfer items from US stocks without Congressional permission in an emergency, according to the news agency.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly pleaded for stronger military backing from partners across the world, often via video link.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a televised news conference that Russia would prevail in all of its “noble” war goals.