The Biden administration will speed up air defenses to Ukraine by delaying certain weapons shipments to other countries, a move a White House spokesman on Thursday called a “difficult but necessary decision” given Russia’s progress in the war.
Spokesman John F. Kirby said Ukraine urgently needed Patriot interceptor missiles as Russia accelerated its attacks against cities and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
“This decision demonstrates our commitment to supporting our partners when they are in existential danger,” Mr. Kirby told reporters. He said the move would not affect arms shipments to Israel or Taiwan.
Patriot is the Pentagon's standard air defense system for ground forces to defend against airborne threats. The United States first sent a Patriot battery to Ukraine in December 2022.
“The broader message here to Russia is clear,” Kirby said. “If you think you're going to be able to outlast Ukraine, if you think you're going to be able to outlast those of us who support Ukraine, you're dead wrong.”
He added that the United States had notified its allies of the delay and that many of them “widely understood” the move.
