White House remains tight-lipped on supplying Patriot to Ukraine
Patriot air defense system in Slovakia (Photo:REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa)
While Washington is preparing another security assistance package for Ukraine, there is no official confirmation it will include Patriot air defense systems, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said during a briefing, as reported by Italian newspaper La Stampa on Dec. 14.
“I can’t confirm media reports on transferring Patriot (systems) to Ukraine; we’ve always been transparent when it comes to the weapons we send Kyiv,” said Kirby.
At the same time, he confirmed that another military aid package for Ukraine is in the works.
“We’re preparing another (package) and will continue to focus on air defense systems, but that’s all I can say,” the official said.
CNN earlier reported that the United States is finalizing a plan to supply at least one Patriot battery to Ukraine, which could be announced later this week.
An unnamed U.S. Department of Defense later confirmed these reports.
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