US Representative Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Washington hopes to significantly increase the amount of long-range weapons Ukraine has to defeat Russia and deter President Vladimir Putin's brutal and unprovoked attack. Putin towards the country.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe's Ukrainian service, Smith said he aims for Ukraine to get up to 30 multiple-launch missile systems — Kiev has asked for at least 50 — as soon as possible "because in this war, "Anyone who can see far and shoot far is going to be in better shape."

Smith said Putin is trying to expand Russian territory not because he felt threatened, but because he "wanted to expand Russia's territory through brute force."

Smith met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while on a weekend trip to Kiev with a group of bipartisan lawmakers.

The United States has already delivered a dozen more High Mobility Artillery Missile Systems (HIMARS).

Meanwhile, Western allies have delivered several M270 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukraine.

The systems can launch missiles far behind enemy lines with an accuracy of several meters, making them very effective.

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