The president of the United States, Joe Biden, announced the sending of 100 US drones to Ukraine and assured that he will help that country acquire “greater range” anti-aircraft systems to defend itself from Russian bombing.
Biden made the announcement in a White House speech, ordering an additional $800 million in aid to Ukraine, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an impassioned speech online to the US Congress.
“This will include drones, which demonstrates our commitment to sending our most advanced technology systems to Ukraine for its defense,” said the president, without clarifying whether these drones will be armed.
The White House later specified in a statement that there will be 100 “tactical unmanned aerial systems” that will be sent to Ukraine, within a package that also includes 800 new Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, which will increase those provided to that country to more than 1,400. in the last year.
In addition, Biden assured that his government is “helping Ukraine to acquire more anti-aircraft systems of greater range”, as Zelensky has requested, “so that they can continue to stop the (Russian) planes and helicopters that attack their people.”
The United States will also deliver to Ukraine another 9,000 anti-armor missiles, including 2,000 more Javelin missiles, 6,000 AT-4-type anti-tank rocket launchers and 1,000 lighter weapons used to destroy armored vehicles.
The assistance also includes 100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns and 400 shotguns, as well as more than 20 million bullets and ammunition for those firearms.
“This could be a long and difficult battle, but the American people will remain steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine,” Biden stressed.
The president thus tried to respond to Zelensky’s request for more help against Russian bombing, although without actually granting the main wish that he expressed before Congress: the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Both the United States and the rest of its NATO allies have ruled out that option for fear that it could lead to a direct military confrontation between their countries and Russia.
The $800 million announced Wednesday by Biden is part of a $13.6 billion aid package for Ukraine that Congress approved last week and the president signed on Tuesday.
Source: Gestion
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