US considering sending Patriot systems to Ukraine – defense official

US considering sending Patriot systems to Ukraine – defense official

Ukrinform
The United States is considering sending Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine to support their air defense capabilities against incoming Russian attacks.

A senior U.S. defense official told this to reporters on Tuesday, Ukrinform reports, citing CNN.

"All capabilities are on the table," the official said when asked if the U.S. was considering sending Patriot batteries specifically to Ukraine.

"Patriot is one of the air defense capabilities that is being considered," he said.

Read also: NATO mulling transfer of Patriot systems to Ukraine - Stoltenberg

The official also noted that air defense of Ukraine is the U.S.'s "top priority."

"We're looking at all the possible capabilities that could help the Ukrainians withstand Russian attacks, so all the capabilities are on the table, and we are looking at what the United States can do, we're looking at what our allies and partners can do, and looking at combinations of capabilities that would be useful," the official added.

However, later on Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a briefing that the U.S. has "no plans to provide Patriot batteries to Ukraine" right now. "But again we'll continue to have those discussions, and when and if there's something to announce on that front, we will," he added.

While citing and using any materials on the Internet, links to the website ukrinform.net not lower than the first paragraph are mandatory. In addition, citing the translated materials of foreign media outlets is possible only if there is a link to the website ukrinform.net and to the website of a foreign media outlet. Citing and using materials in offline media, mobile apps, Smart TV are allowed only with written permission from Ukrinform. News and publications marked as "Advertisement" and "PR" and articles in the section "Releases" include promoted content, and an advertiser is responsible for the content.

© 2015-2024 Ukrinform. All rights reserved.

Website design Studio Laconica

Extended searchHide extended search
By period:
-