Since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Ukrainian troops have undergone training on a host of different NATO-provided weapons systems, including the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), in eastern Europe, Germany and Britain, Politico said in an article published on Friday.
But until this point, none of the training has been done in the United States, according to the article, penned by Lara Seligman.
The United States this week 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.
"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.
Politico noted in its article, entitled "Military Weighs Training Ukrainians on Patriot in United States," that U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday dismissed the idea that sending Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine could escalate the situation on the battlefield.
Biden argued, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, that the Patriot is a defensive system that will be used to shoot down Russian missiles bombarding Ukrainian infrastructure and leaving millions without power, Politico reported.
Friday is day 303 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Source: PAP, politico.com