U.S. News
US announces $1.85B Ukraine aid with Patriot system [Video]
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- The Pentagon announced that it will be sending a Patriot missile system to Ukraine as part of a new $1.85 billion weapons package.
- The US administration believes that the Patriot will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities against Russia’s relentless attacks.
- The announcement came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
The United States has confirmed that it will send a Patriot missile system to Ukraine during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, as part of a $1.85 billion weapons package.
The new package includes $1 billion in presidential drawdown authority, which pulls U.S. military stockpiles to send to Kyiv. The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will have the Defense Department buy directly from the industry, will supply the other $850 million.
The package also includes a Patriot air defense system and munitions. The system aims to protect military and civilian targets by defending against mid- and high-altitude targets such as drones, missiles, bombers, and fighter jets.
In addition to the Patriot, the package also includes 2,700 grenade launchers and other equipment, 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, 120 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, 37 Cougar Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), six armored utility trucks, High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs), mortar systems and rounds, and precision aerial munitions.
The Pentagon stated, “Russia’s unrelenting and brutal air attacks against critical infrastructure have only reinforced the need to provide Ukraine with sophisticated air defense capabilities. At President Biden’s direction, the United States has prioritized the provision of air defense systems to help Ukraine defend its people from Russian aggression.”
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy and electricity infrastructure, causing civilian deaths and loss of power ahead of winter. Russian troops are also expected to mount a large offensive on frozen ground.
Ukraine has been pleading for more air defense systems, but the US has held off on sending the Patriot over fears of escalation. But after weeks of deliberation, the Biden administration changed its stance to presenting the system as “not escalatory” but “defensive.”
The Pentagon believes that the Patriot will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and help “counter the full range of threats currently menacing Ukraine’s cities and civilians.”
The US has pledged over $21 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started on Feb. 24.
The omnibus spending bill being deliberated in Congress also includes $45 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine. The bill is still awaiting passage in both chambers and a signature from Biden.
Source: The Hill
Michael Goodson
December 25, 2022 at 6:58 am
what did they do with the tank busters Trump sent them?
CharlieSeattle
December 25, 2022 at 6:26 pm
Used them.
Disgusted
December 25, 2022 at 8:03 am
Are we leaving ourselves more vulnerable to attack by depleting our defenses ?? We have used our oil reserves etc., left $’s in recent withdrawal from enemies etc. When are we thinking about how open we leave ourselves? Do we think those who oppose us do not realize how we weaken ourselves ? Some do not think a military person is good for being our president, perhaps not but they would know firsthand how to not do this !!!
joann clemens
December 25, 2022 at 9:42 am
I wonder how much money Biden and his son are getting out of this What about America needs the money Where is the money really going.? What is it being use for ? We are sending a lot of money .
Mike Tracy
December 26, 2022 at 6:48 am
You’re catching on. Hillary and Obama didn’t get filthy rich from being paid their salary to do their political job. They stole it from money they arranged to be sent to other countries for humanitarian reasons just like this bullshit.
A hundred and eighty-five billion dollars is an awful lot of money to keep track of.
Biden and son will funnel a few million of it into their bank accounts while at the same time Zelenski’s, and dozzens of other politicians ‘s bankrolls will mysteriously expand as well. And it’s all at the expense of tax dollars that the Democrats rob from the working class people of the United States.
Rat Wrangler
December 25, 2022 at 9:57 am
NATO is made up of 30 nations, but only five meet the 2% of GDP spent on defense. The US has sent more than half of all the money supporting the Ukraine in this conflict, so why aren’t we demanding that the other 25 nations not meeting their 2% pay us for all the support we have provided? Fair is fair, but the US seems to always wind up holding the short end of the financial stick when it comes to world events. Since the Ukraine has had the worst GDP of the European nations for several years, why don’t we offer them a position as a US territory, or maybe even a state? We could straighten out their government and finances, and Russia would never dare attack one of our territories. Then, in areas where most of the people want to rejoin Russia, we could sell the lands for a decent profit. A win for everyone.
T
December 25, 2022 at 8:55 pm
Preston Bush funded BOTH sided of the war (back in the day) nothing has changed. These guys are all in cahoots. The g o v ‘s are all working together. Its an engineered and orchestrated effort to bring about global change. ANd I ain’t talking about climate change either.
DrBillLemoine
December 25, 2022 at 11:59 am
What’s not clear from this story is the Patriot Missile defense is good for Kiev and environs but not the rest of Ukraine civilians which remain targets of Russian infrastructure, meaning electric grid, attacks. Their military needs more air defenses before every civilian freezes to death this winter without electricity.
Allan
December 25, 2022 at 12:00 pm
And soon all countries across the world will have our technology yo defeat us with.
KC
December 25, 2022 at 3:11 pm
The military brass is “dumping” older versions of these weapons so they can get the US taxpayers to somewhat silently. Pay for the latest model. Did Same thing in the Iraq War
Sean Rickman
December 25, 2022 at 4:17 pm
When will this give away to foreign countries end and the government starts making AMERICA first.We have so many problems in this country that the politicians seem to be deaf to but yet”joey mumbles”keeps sending billions to foreign countries to protect their borders and our borders don’t seem to exist.The regime in control is also letting criminals in and letting criminals out.Then if you look at that last blowout that is for our country,but the most money goes to organizations and entities that most AMERICANS feel is a TOTAL waste of taxpayer dollars.PORK !!!!!!!!!!
T
December 25, 2022 at 8:58 pm
Every time we AID some one else or TRAIN some group…they come back later and use it all against us. When are we going to learn. Meanwhile-theres no money in the budget for seniors or Veterans or single parents or anything else but we can give BILLIONS to everyone else. Our hard earned TAX dollars at work…Ho EASY is it to give someone else’s money away-RIGHT?
Rich
December 25, 2022 at 5:04 pm
I’m just guessing but is WW3 the oligarchs option to drastically reduced world population since most people caught on to the Covid scam? Just wondering.
CharlieSeattle
December 25, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Yes!
T
December 27, 2022 at 11:03 am
The US is officially a NAZI nation. Look at the recent UN vote to not sympathize with nazis. The US voted against that. That’s all you need to know.