US gradually lifts restrictions on arms supplies to Ukraine - Andrey Piontkovsky

He expressed this opinion on the air of the Espreso TV channel. 

"Just recently, General Zaluzhnyi stated what is needed for the victory of Ukraine. We have discussed this more than once. These are tanks, artillery and aircraft. That is the set that the American authorities are holding to the last. The decision to transfer Patriot air defense systems is very significant. Firstly, it is strengthening the air defense system. It is important from the technical side and a significant political and psychological step. American authorities began to abandon the self-restrictions they imposed on themselves. What was the problem? It was because I do not doubt this issue has been resolved. This system is so complex that it requires special training for its operation. This does not mean that there should be completely American crews in it. No, it will be Ukrainian crews in Patriot, but one way or another, there should be a presence of the American military," explained Piontkovsky.

The political scientist stressed that the ban on supplying certain weapons from the United States to Ukraine might eventually disappear.

"The American authorities avoided two things. They imposed two fundamental restrictions on themselves. The first is the non-participation of the US military in hostilities in Ukraine, even in a minimal presence. The second is not to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons and missiles that can strike the territory of Russia. As you emphasized, this principled answer is a non-trivial decision to abandon a one-stop list. In my opinion, it may be a sign for the American authorities to abandon artificial restrictions imposed on themselves completely," he added.

• Earlier it was reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, which may be announced this week.

• The West also discusses providing Ukraine with weapons for "preemptive strikes" and creating a "decisive advantage" over Russia.