### U.S. Military Contractors to Assist Ukraine with Weapon Maintenance

In a notable shift, the Biden administration has greenlit the deployment of U.S. military contractors to Ukraine, a defense official informed POLITICO. This move aims to support Kyiv in maintaining sophisticated Western-provided weapons systems, such as F-16 fighter jets and the Patriot air defense systems. The policy decision, made before the recent election, marks a strategic effort to provide crucial technical expertise on the ground.

The Defense Department will initiate a bidding process to select a limited number of American military contractors to carry out maintenance tasks in Ukraine. These contractors will operate far from the front lines, ensuring that U.S.-provided equipment is swiftly repaired and maintained, contributing to its quick return to combat readiness. "Having small numbers of contractors in Ukraine conducting maintenance away from the front lines will help ensure U.S.-provided equipment can be rapidly repaired when damaged and be provided maintenance as needed," the defense official emphasized.

Despite these contractors' presence, President Joe Biden has steadfastly maintained that U.S. military personnel, aside from those assigned to the American Embassy in Kyiv, will not set foot on Ukrainian soil. Since Russia's full-scale invasion over two years ago, the U.S. has furnished Ukraine with more than $64 billion in aid. The defense official reiterated that American contractors would not engage in combat but focus solely on maintenance tasks.

With each contractor responsible for its own safety, the initiative underscores a broader U.S. commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of its military aid to Ukraine. This development follows the U.S. State Department's recent decision to enhance the presence of American diplomats in Ukraine. The State Department has deployed several dozen diplomats to the Kyiv embassy, granting them the ability to travel freely around the capital's vicinity—a significant change from the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion when diplomatic travel was confined to Kyiv's limits.

This policy adjustment reflects ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities and ensure the operational readiness of key military equipment in the face of ongoing conflict.