Biden Administration Prioritizes Air Defense Missile Sales to Ukraine

President Joe Biden’s administration will start redirecting shipments of new air-defense missiles to Ukraine, prioritizing them over other countries awaiting their orders from the United States.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated that Ukrainian forces urgently require additional air defense capabilities due to the intensified Russian air and missile attacks.

Mr. Kirby mentioned during a press call on June 20 that the U.S. is providing Ukraine with various air defense systems and interceptor missiles from their own stockpiles, including Patriot systems, NASAMs, and Hawk air-defense missiles.

He highlighted the need for more support immediately and announced that shipments of air defense missiles for Ukraine will take precedence over those for other countries with pending orders of similar weapons.

Mr. Kirby also assured that this rearrangement would not affect deliveries of air defense systems to Israel or Taiwan, despite their security concerns.

The U.S. government plans to deliver Patriot missiles to Ukraine in the next few weeks and before the end of the summer, focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense for the next year and a half.

Other countries impacted by this reordering of military assistance have been informed, with many expressing understanding and support for the decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought additional resources to counter Russian long-range strikes more effectively in recent weeks.

President Biden and Zelenskyy recently signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense.

Meanwhile, Russia has been expanding its security partnerships with countries like China, Iran, and North Korea to sustain its war efforts in Ukraine.

The U.S. government has observed Iran and North Korea supplying Russia with various weapons, while Mr. Kirby pointed out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent actions as signs of desperation and isolation on the global stage.