Following Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities, US President Joe Biden on Monday pledged to give Ukraine cutting-edge air defense systems, the White House said in a statement.
Prior to an urgent meeting of the Group of Seven to discuss support for Ukraine and how to hold Russia “accountable” for the assaults, which claimed at least 14 lives, Biden made the commitment during a phone chat with Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.
“President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the White House stated in a statement.
Biden assured Zelensky that the US, its allies, and partners would continue to support Ukraine, “holding Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities, and providing Ukraine with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance”, the said White House.
Zelensky tweeted that “air defense is currently the number 1 priority in our defense cooperation” after speaking with Biden.
Productive conversation with @POTUS. Air defense is currently the number 1 priority in our defense cooperation.
We also need US leadership with the G7's tough stance and with support for our UN GA resolution.— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2022
By Sophie Hodler
