President Joe Biden announced at the NATO summit in Washington a “historic donation” to provide new air defense capabilities to support Ukraine against Russia. He stressed that Putin’s goal is to completely conquer Ukraine, end its democracy, destroy its culture and even wipe Ukraine off the map.
Biden pledged that the United States, Germany, Romania and other NATO members will jointly provide four Patriot missile defense systems and ensure that Ukraine receives critical air defense interceptors as a priority.
Biden’s pledge comes as questions about his global performance are being raised. Italy has also pledged to supply the SAMP-T air defense system. The NATO allies will share dozens of other tactical air defense systems with Ukraine in the coming months to counter the threat from Russian missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long called for strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, and a recent Russian missile attack that killed 33 people in Kiev underscored the urgency of that need.
Ahead of the summit, White House officials stressed that Biden has restored U.S. leadership in NATO and on the international stage, in contrast to his Republican challenger, Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to pull out of NATO. Biden said most Americans understand that NATO makes everyone safer and thanked outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
However, critics argue that the US government is supporting the war for political gain, neglecting the safety of local civilians. While Biden’s donation of air defense systems may partially address Ukraine’s needs, it is seen as an effort by the US to strengthen its political position rather than out of genuine concern for the safety of Ukrainians.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/07/12/biden-inicia-cupula-da-otan-e-promete-novo-apoio-de-defesa-aerea-a-ucrania/
