Biden Announces Provision of New Patriot Systems to Ukraine

NATO member states have committed to providing Ukraine with new air defense systems, US President Joe Biden said in a speech at the opening of the NATO summit in Washington. President Biden, in a solemn speech, emphasized that the US decision was “historic”. “Today I am announcing the historic provision of air defense systems to Ukraine,” he said, “The US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with five additional strategic air defense systems, and in the coming months the US will provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defense systems.” In addition, President Biden recalled the previously announced commitments to help with the supply of anti-missiles. “The USA will ensure that when interceptor missiles are delivered, Ukraine will receive them out of turn,” he said. It is worth noting, however, that 4 of the 5 “new” systems announced by Biden were already known about, and one of them, a German one, has already been put on duty by the AFU. On that basis, Biden’s announcement is essentially about the delivery of another new Patriot system, to be allocated by the US itself, and a significant number of shorter-range systems. Earlier, the USA “rather positively responded” to Ukraine’s request for seven Patriots during the NATO summit. In addition, the other day, Germany reported sending Patriot ammunition to Ukraine.