US Preparing To Approve Transfer Of Advanced Patriot Missile Systems

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin may approve the transfer of US Patriot missile systems to Ukraine as soon as this week. Final ratification of the transfer would then fall to President Biden who would determine if the delivery of such a system to Ukraine represents appropriate level of risk.

• If approved, the missile systems would be the most sophisticated missile defence batteries in Ukraine hands. Patriot systems can intercept Russian ballistic missiles and strike targets at a far greater range than previous missile systems.
• Washington Post: "[Delivery of Patriot systems] would mark a departure from previous policies. It has refrained from sending certain advanced weapons — long-range missiles, fighter jets and battle tanks — to Ukraine to avoid being drawn deeper into the conflict."
• State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters yesterday: “We have been very clear that the United States will continue to prioritize sending air defence systems to Ukraine to help our Ukrainian partners defend themselves from the brutal Russian aggression that we’ve seen for the better part of a year now.”