US finalizing plans to send Patriot system to Ukraine – CNN
The Pentagon's plan has yet to be approved by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Photo:NDmytriiev/Twitter)
The administration of US President Joe Biden is finalizing plans to send the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, CNN reported on Dec. 13 citing two US high-ranking representatives from the White House.
According to sources, the official announcement regarding the plans to transfer these air defense systems to Ukraine will happen this week.
The Pentagon's plan still needs to be approved by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before it is sent to the President for his signature. Approval is expected, sources told CNN.
Once the plans are finalized, the Patriots will be delivered in the coming days, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be trained to use them at a US Army base in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Previously, the Biden administration refused to transfer this type of air defense systems to Ukraine, citing logistical challenges and maintenance difficulties. According to one of CNN's sources, the White House changed its mind because of the "the reality of what is going on the ground" in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that Ukraine would be able to see Patriot systems deployed on the frontline as early as at the next stage of the war.
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