United States President Joe Biden pledged to his Ukrainian equivalent, Volodymyr Zelensky, advanced air defense systems in the wake of Russia's deadly missile attacks on Kyiv and several Ukrainian cities.
In a phone chat with Zelenskyy, Biden made the promise before a meeting of the Group of Seven to explore aid to Ukraine and how to hold Moscow "accountable" for the missile attacks that left at least 14 people dead.
According to a White House readout, President Biden "pledged to continue" delivering Ukraine the resources it needs to protect itself, including sophisticated systems for air defense against Russian attack.
The US chief executive also "expressed his condemnation of Russia's missile strikes across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, and conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured in these senseless attacks," the White House statement reads.
Joe Biden assured Zelenskyy that the US and its allies would keep imposing penalties on Russia and hold it accountable for its "war crimes and atrocities," according to the White House.
While Russia's defense ministry claimed that Monday's assaults were directed at "army headquarters and communication facilities and power grid," Kyiv blamed Moscow for deliberately bombing residential areas.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched 84 missiles at 10 cities, with 56 being intercepted by air defenses.
The US Continues To Deliver Military Aid To Ukraine
As per an Al Jazeera report, the US will provide Ukraine with air defense systems that can take down drones, missiles, and helicopters.
The United States reportedly delivered over 1,400 Stinger anti-air systems, air surveillance, and multi-mission radars to Ukraine.
According to a CNN report, one source in the Joe Biden administration claimed that Washington assisted its allies in providing air defense systems to Ukraine, like the vital S-300 system, which was sent from Slovakia in April. In addition, eight additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) were ordered and announced in August as part of President Biden's new support package for Ukraine.
At the time of the briefing by the Department of Defense in late September, the United States still had not sent NASAMS to Ukraine. Brigadier General Patrick Ryder previously stated that two of the eight systems would be delivered within the next two months, with the remaining six arriving at a later date, which is still unknown.
Following the devastating attacks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Monday to reaffirm US support. On Tuesday, G7 leaders will assemble via video conference, and Biden is anticipated to participate. Zelensky is scheduled to give a speech.
Putin Accuses Ukraine of Terrorism
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the attacks as necessary in light of what he called "terrorism" on the part of the Ukrainian government. He cited Saturday's explosion on the Kerch Bridge between Russia and Crimea, which he blamed on Ukraine's "special services."
Putin also warned that Russia will surely conduct "harsh" responses that will "correspond to the level of threats created for the Russian Federation" if there are continued "terrorist acts" against its territory, per Axios.
European Union officials and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denounced the assaults. China and India both have called for the Russia-Ukraine war to stop getting worse.