US military support for Ukraine
Zelensky said the visit was aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s “resistance and defense capacity” amid repeated Russian missile and drone attacks on the country’s energy and water supplies in the dead of winter.
His political adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said the visit underscores the high degree of trust between the two countries and gives him an opportunity to explain what weapons kyiv needs.
“…Weapons, weapons and more weapons. It is important to personally explain why we need certain types of weapons,” Podolyak said. “In particular armored vehicles, the latest anti-missile defense systems and long-range missiles.”
Biden will announce $1.85 billion in more military aid to Ukraine that will include a Patriot missile battery to help fend off Russian missile barrages, a senior US official has said.
The announcement is a significant victory for kyiv, which has repeatedly lobbied Washington over the Patriot system, and a strong signal of US support for Ukraine that will help bolster the country’s defenses.
“Today’s assistance includes for the first time the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at a ceiling significantly higher than previously provided air defense systems,” the statement said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.