WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden announced on Friday that the United States was working with NATO ally Slovakia in providing the Ukrainian military will air defense systems.
“Now is no time for complacency. The Russian military may have failed in its objective of capturing Kyiv, but it continues to inflict horrific acts of brutality on the Ukrainian people,” said Biden.
The Slovakian government, according to the White House, will provide Ukraine’s military with an S-300 air defense system. The S-300 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to take down incoming aircraft and cruise missiles. The air defense system has been requested previously by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to reports, the United States will provide Slovakia with the U.S.-made “Patriot System” in exchange for the S-300.
The President went on to say, “I have directed my Administration to continue to spare no effort to identify and provide the Ukrainian military the advanced weapons capabilities it needs to defend its country.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said concerning the transfer of the air defense system, “I salute the generosity of the Slovak government in providing an S-300 air defense system – a critical defensive capability – to Ukraine. It’s a strong testament to how determined Ukraine’s neighbors are to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of their homeland.”