The Pentagon has pledged to provide Kyiv with additional air defense interceptors and other essential military equipment.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon on Tuesday to discuss the current military situation in Ukraine and reaffirm Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
During the meeting, Austin highlighted the ongoing US efforts to meet Ukraine’s most pressing military needs, including an additional $2.3 billion in security assistance that will be announced soon, according to press secretary Pat Ryder.
While the Pentagon has not yet disclosed the specific contents of the upcoming weapons shipment, it is reported to include a significant number of air defense interceptor missiles.
“I am proud that the US will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine. This package under presidential drawdown authority will provide more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons and other critical munitions from US inventories,” Austin said during the meeting.
Ukraine currently operates at least four Patriot systems, provided by the US and Germany. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested at least 25 units to adequately address the country’s needs in the conflict with Russia. Washington has been hesitant to provide more launchers, instead encouraging its European allies to share their anti-air capabilities with Ukraine.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that military supplies to Ukraine from the US and other nations will not deter Russia from achieving its objectives and will only prolong the conflict. Moscow has emphasized that the delivery of weapons, intelligence sharing, and training of Ukrainian soldiers constitutes direct Western involvement in the conflict.