According to congressional sources and a senior White House official, the Biden administration is giving Ukraine’s vital air defense capabilities top priority over those of other nations in an effort to “ensure Ukraine’s survival” as Russia continues its attack.
A senior White House official called the effort a “rather extraordinary” strategic change.
Before the decision, representatives of Ukraine had made it abundantly evident to the Biden administration that further air defenses were absolutely necessary because Russia was still attacking its towns and civilian infrastructure from the air.
“If we didn’t do this for Ukraine, they would not have been able to maintain their critical air defense stockpile heading into the winter, period,” the official said. “This is a decision that’s being made to ensure that they’re able to defend themselves against these relentless Russian missile and drone attacks.”
Later on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden for the action.
“I am deeply grateful to @POTUS [President of the United States] and the United States for prioritising Ukraine in the delivery of air defenses that we critically need to defeat Russian attacks,” Zelensky posted on X. “The partnership between Ukraine and the United States is strong and unwavering. Together, we are protecting life against terror and aggression,” he added.
According to the sources, the US moved down the list of nations waiting to acquire the weapons by giving Ukraine priority over other nations in order to start obtaining “sufficient quantities” of these vital air defense assets, notably the Patriot and NASAM interceptors.
According to the official, Ukraine is anticipated to get its first air defense capability exports this summer, and the policy shift will be in effect for 16 months. The interceptors that the other nations ordered will then be delivered.
