US will buy weapons in South Korea for transfer to Ukraine - The Wall Street Journal

South Korea first agreed to hand over to Ukraine for war with the Russian Federation. The United States is going to conclude an agreement with South Korea, which will allow Washington to send 100,000 South Korean shells to Ukraine for 155 mm artillery guns. About it reports the newspaper The Wall Street Journal. The report states that the artillery shells purchased from South Korea will be able to provide the Armed Forces for several weeks of intensive fighting.

According to journalists, the format of the treaty makes it possible to give up its public position on the supply of weapons to Ukraine and to support the Ukrainian army. Earlier in the government of the country stated that they provide Ukraine exclusively humanitarian aid. The arrangement will also allow the United States of America not to deplete their own stocks of artillery shells.

The Pentagon noted that in August 2022 the number of artillery shells in warehouses decreased significantly due to the intense battles with the Armed Forces with the occupiers. Meeting of South Korea Defense Minister Lee Sopa with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin took place in early November. As a result of the negotiations, the parties concluded an artillery agreement. At the same time in Seoul they do not mention the supply of shells in Ukraine.

"Negotiations are conducted on the basis that the US will be the end user," the source reports. US Ministry of Defense Representative Marty Menshers assures that any movement or resale of the South Korean weapons will be carefully considered by both parties. He stressed that the sale of weapons should not adversely affect the combat capability of South Korea and the United States. Recall that the United States accused North Korea of ​​helping the army of the Russian Federation.