Positive news for Ukraine at NATO summit: US ambassador to the Alliance announces Patriots transfer
Kyiv • UNN
At the NATO summit in Washington, Ukraine is expected to receive positive news on air defense, including the Patriot system, as well as announcements on defense production, resilience, and cybersecurity.
At the NATO summit in Washington, Ukraine is expected to receive positive news about air defense, in particular the Patriot system. This was stated on Monday, July 8, during the Foreign Policy online discussion "NATO in a New Era" by US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith, UNN reports citing Voice of America.
"There will be fresh news on air defense. In April, the Ukrainians asked NATO for seven Patriot systems. And we have a very positive response to that, which will come in the coming days," Smith said.
She noted that "it's going to be a big week in Washington". And she urged to keep an eye out for "specific announcements that will come for Ukraine, for NATO allies, news about defense production, about resilience, about cybersecurity.
The envoy also noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will "feel the strong commitment to Ukraine" from NATO during the summit.
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"We will have a financial commitment, according to which both Ukraine and Moscow will understand very clearly that we, the transatlantic partners, will not retreat anywhere. As you know, Putin predicted that we would all turn away. We are not distracted. We are focused on Ukraine and we are going to stay the course, so stay tuned for more pledges," Smith said.
She also noted that a "bridge to membership" would be prepared for Ukraine during the summit.
"What does this mean? It means that the alliance will announce that it will take on the role of coordinator of the aid coming to Ukraine, as well as the training of Ukrainian forces that we are all doing now," the ambassador said.
She added that NATO plans to appoint a new high representative in Kyiv "to help lead the work that NATO is doing with the Ukrainians on things like modernization, interoperability, standardization.
At the same time, she confirmed that "the alliance will not invite Ukraine to join now, in July 2024."
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Julianne Smith noted that the summit in Washington will demonstrate to the allies the US support for the alliance, which, according to the ambassador, is bipartisan:
All 50 states will be represented. They will see the active participation of both sides, both the Senate and the House of Representatives. They (summit participants - ed.) will feel the commitment in the United States to this alliance.
On the other hand, Smith argues, the summit will help convince Americans that Washington is not alone in supporting Ukraine:
Europeans provide not only important economic and humanitarian aid. The European Union provides weapons and important defense capabilities worth billions of euros. Therefore, when you look at what is happening around Ukraine, it is a joint effort. This is a transatlantic project. We are trying to make sure that people on both sides of the Atlantic, but especially here in the United States, understand this.
Previously
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in May Russia used 3,200 guided missiles against Ukraine, and next month the number of such bombs could reach 3,500. Therefore, at least seven additional Patriot air defense systems are needed to protect Ukraine, including two for Kharkiv.