According to Fox News, the U.S. government has pledged to provide Ukraine with the American missile defense system known as Patriot:
President Biden’s administration will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine for the first time on Wednesday as Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy visits Washington to address Congress.
The Patriot system of surface-to-air guided missiles can target aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It was developed for the American military in the 1980s and has been sold to at least 16 countries, including Taiwan, South Korea, and Israel.
In addition to sealing a deal on the Patriot missile defense system, the Ukrainian president will address Congress amid its debate over an additional $45 billion in aid for his country. This money, reports Fox News, would be added to $65 billion which Congress has already approved.
While there is bipartisan support for Ukrainian aid, some Republicans have expressed accountability reservations regarding the flow of military support to Kyiv:
President Biden’s administration is scrambling to track the nearly $20 billion in military aid it has sent to Ukraine as Republicans warn of impending audits when they take control of the House in January.
Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who will become Speaker of the House of Representatives next month, has voiced concerns about writing a “blank check” for Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington is allegedly his first abroad since the Russian invasion started.
