The United States is working with partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities to protect its energy facilities from Russian attacks, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said during a briefing on Thursday, April 11, stressing the importance of Congressional approval of more funding for this purpose, UNN reports.
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Asked whether the Pentagon could find additional air defense equipment for Ukraine without waiting for a decision from the US Congress to protect energy facilities from attacks, US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder said that the US is working with partners in this direction. "We've been doing it," he said.
Certainly the most important thing we can do is get the supplemental passed. But that doesn't mean that the Department and the US government is you know, not doing anything. As you know, we continue to consult closely with our international allies and partners and with Ukraine on the importance of providing very important capabilities to include air defense to Ukraine
According to the Pentagon spokesperson, the United States will continue to consult "with our coalition around the world to ensure and see what we can get for Ukraine on that front."
"But again, the most important thing we can do right now, from a US national security standpoint is pass the supplemental," Ryder emphasized.