US announces priority for air defense missiles for Ukraine, Kiev receives 'genuine' gift from Romania

On June 20, the White House announced that the US will prioritize providing air defense missiles to Ukraine, sending the necessary weapons to this country before other countries that have placed orders.

The US prioritizes sending air defense missiles to Ukraine, especially Patriot (photo) and NASAMS. (Source: AFP)

AFP news agency quoted US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby as telling reporters: "We will prioritize providing these weapons, ensuring that newly produced missiles will be provided to Ukraine", especially Patriot and NASAMS missiles.

Mr. Kirby added that the provision of these missiles to other countries will be delayed, except for Israel and Taiwan (China).

The United States has been a major military backer of Ukraine, pledging more than $51 billion in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance since Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.

On the same day, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced that Bucharest will give Kiev one of Romania's two operational Patriot air defense systems.

According to President Iohanis, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council of Romania (CSAT), the condition of this NATO member state is that Bucharest will be compensated by its allies with a similar system.

According to CSAT, Romania's decision was made in the context of "the significant deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine due to the conflict with Russia, which has regional implications, including security implications for Romania".

Ukraine welcomed the decision, saying Romania's gift would help strengthen the conflict-torn Eastern European country's air defense shield.

Romania shares a border with Ukraine. Since the conflict broke out in its eastern neighbor, Bucharest has increased defense spending to 2.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP), with about a third of the budget going toward purchasing new weapons.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-tuyen-bo-uu-tien-ten-lua-phong-khong-cho-ukraine-kiev-nhan-qua-xin-tu-romania-275765.html