President Joe Biden is set to announce that the United States will be supplying Ukraine with an additional Patriot missile system to enhance its air defense capabilities against ongoing Russian airstrikes. This decision comes in response to a recent attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv by Russian forces.
The new Patriot battery, valued at $225 million, is part of a larger aid package that will be unveiled during Biden's upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This marks the second Patriot air defense system that the U.S. has committed to providing to Ukraine, following a previous announcement made in June.
The system will be funded through presidential drawdown authority, allowing for swift deployment from existing military stocks to support Ukraine's defense efforts. Zelenskyy had previously appealed for additional Patriot systems, citing the urgent need to counter the thousands of bombs launched by Russia into Ukraine each month.
During the NATO summit in Washington, Biden also revealed plans for other allies to contribute to Ukraine's defense capabilities. The U.S., Germany, and Romania have pledged Patriot batteries, while the Netherlands, Italy, and several other nations will supply additional air defense systems and munitions.
Last week, the U.S. pledged an extra $150 million in weapons directly from its inventory, including air defense interceptors, artillery, and anti-tank weapons. Furthermore, $2.2 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds will be allocated for long-term weapons systems, such as Patriot missiles and NASAM air defense systems.
These collective efforts aim to bolster Ukraine's defenses and support its resistance against Russian aggression, demonstrating a united front among international allies in the face of the ongoing conflict.
