The plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, escorted by American jets, landed at Joint Base Andrews, an Air Force base located in Maryland, near Washington. The Ukrainian leader will meet US President Joe Biden, and during his visit, Ukrainian flags alongside the stars and stripes were flown at several iconic Washington locations, such as the avenues facing the Capitol and Pennsylvania Avenue, near from the White House.
But the US also welcomed ZZelensky with a new $1.85 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which will also include the delivery of the first Patriot missiles. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said so, specifying that the additional assistance includes $850 million for security and $1 billion for air defense capabilities and precision strikes. The shipment will provide Ukraine with “increased air defense and precision strike capabilities, as well as additional munitions and critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield,” Blinken said in a statement.
“Today’s assistance includes for the first time the Patriot Air Defense System capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at a significantly higher level than previously delivered air defense systems,” Blinken said reiterating that the United States will continue to “support Ukraine for as long as necessary so that Kiev can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes.”
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
