On Wednesday, the United States announced a new USD 1.85 billion arms package for Ukraine's defence against Russia.
The package includes a planned transfer of a Patriot missile battery to the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukraine had long urged such a move.
The Patriot air defense system promised to Ukraine is among the world’s most advanced anti-aircraft systems, according to officials. It could play an important role in protecting the country from massive missile barrages by Russia, which since October has been mainly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
"The Patriot air defense system in this security assistance package is one of the world's most advanced air defense capabilities," the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Once operational, it will add to a layered defense to counter the full range of threats currently menacing Ukraine's cities and civilians," the Pentagon added.
Ukraine's Zvarych on Wednesday hailed the planned transfer of the Patriot air defense battery as a “great success of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the US.”
“I also thank the Polish authorities for supporting the transfer of the Patriot system to Ukraine," Zvarych wrote on Twitter.
"This will be a great contribution to the security of Ukraine, as well as Poland and our part of Europe,” Zvarych tweeted after a joint news conference between US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has praised the decision, saying it “will allow Ukraine to effectively defend itself against Russian terrorist attacks targeting critical infrastructure."
“The result will be a reduction of the threat of blackouts, so this will also result in the fact that Ukrainians will not be forced to leave their country,” Błaszczak told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP